Does Hungary need Paks II? Government to decide this year, also promises end to Russian gas

Seven months after the official start of construction of the Paks II nuclear power plant, Hungary’s new government is reviewing whether it needs the new Russian-built units. The economy and energy minister points to the rise of photovoltaics and drought, which curtailed the operation of existing units. He also says the country could do without Russian gas as soon as next year, if developments are favourable. Independent data, however, show that the share of Russian gas imports has instead risen in recent years.

In February this year, the first concrete was poured, officially marking the start of construction in Hungary of the fifth unit with a VVER-1200 reactor. It was the first construction start in Europe in more than six years, as well as the first Russian nuclear project launched in a European Union member state. Under the plan, both new units are to begin supplying electricity from the start of the 2030s. Now, reports from Budapest suggest that the new government is considering whether to continue building on the concrete foundations at all.