EU Eyes Emergency Talks as Hungary Faces Power Shortfall After Paks Shutdown
The European Commission says it is prepared to convene an ad hoc meeting of the Electricity Coordination Group after Hungary shut down the Paks nuclear plant due to record-low Danube water levels, risking about 2,000 MW of lost output as demand rises. Hungary is urging peak-hour conservation and plans rotational industrial cuts while other plants are stepped up and regional imports may be used. Experts warn Hungary could face a 25–30% hit to its energy output from Monday, signaling a serious test of regional energy resilience; Brussels is monitoring closely and coordinating steps with neighboring countries, with no immediate energy-security threat declared.