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Ukraine aids Hungary amid heatwave-induced energy crisis
The Kyiv Independent • • world
Key Points:
- Kyiv exported 61 gigawatt hours of electricity to Budapest in the last week of July, as Hungary increased imports due to high temperatures and the temporary shutdown of its only nuclear power plant.
- Hungary's Paks Nuclear Plant was temporarily closed on July 29 because of historically low water levels in the Danube River, which is critical for cooling the reactors, marking the first time the plant has ever shut down.
- Ukraine, usually a net importer of electricity from Hungary due to Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure, has become a significant electricity exporter to Hungary amid the heatwave and the synchronization of its grid with the EU.
- The European Commission confirmed that neighboring countries are helping to cover electricity production shortfalls caused by the heatwave, and the overall supply situation remains stable with no immediate security concerns.
- Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced that the Paks Nuclear Plant is beginning to resume operations as the Danube's water levels recover, but voluntary electricity consumption reductions are still encouraged during hot days.
