MAGYAR: THE FIVE MOST CRITICAL DAYS

BUDAPEST, AUGUST 3 /SRNA/ - Hungary`s Paks Nuclear Power Plant could operate at its current reduced capacity until tomorrow, easing pressure on the electricity grid as the country faces five critical days starting today, Prime Minister Péter Magyar said.

"The five most critical days begin now. The energy grid and water supply are under increasing pressure," Magyar said in a video posted on Facebook.

He said that today, and possibly tomorrow, the last turbine producing 240 megawatts could continue operating. "This is very good news, because it could prevent a complete shutdown of the plant on one of the days with the highest consumption," Magyar said.

Magyar stressed that voluntary reductions in electricity consumption by households and companies, implemented following the government's appeal, reduced demand yesterday by 700 megawatts, which is equivalent to the output of one and a half reactors at Paks, significantly easing pressure on the power grid.

The plant is expected to be completely shut down later this week as water levels in the River Danube, whose water it uses as a coolant, are forecast to fall further.

The two-gigawatt Paks Nuclear Power Plant, which normally produces around half of the country`s electricity, was operating today at slightly more than 10 percent of its capacity after the Danube water level fell to a record low.

Large parts of Europe have been affected by prolonged heat and drought, which have lowered river levels and raised concerns over water supplies, river transport and electricity generation.

As the Paks Nuclear Power Plant is gradually shut down, Hungary will increase its reliance on imports, as the heatwave is expected to drive up electricity demand.