Construction Begins on Hungary's Paks II Nuclear Power Plant
Hungary has commenced construction of the Paks II nuclear power plant, a project led by the Russian state corporation Rosatom. The work involves building two new power units, each featuring a 1.2-gigawatt water-water energetic reactor (VVER). Russian representatives poured the first concrete at the site. The agreement between Budapest and Moscow was originally signed in 2014, with the total project cost set at 12.5 billion euros. Notably, the contract was awarded to Rosatom without a public tender process.
Key Figures and Impact on the Energy Sector
A ceremony marking the start of construction was attended by key figures including Rosatom's Director General Alexey Likhachev and the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that once operational, Paks II will allow nuclear power to cover 70% of Hungary's electricity needs, significantly reducing the country's reliance on international energy markets. This project is proceeding as many European nations seek to reduce energy dependence on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
Critics of the project, including Greenpeace Hungary, have raised concerns about safety and potential environmental consequences. Meanwhile, in a related development, Turkey has postponed the launch of its Akkuyu nuclear power plant, which is also being built by Rosatom. According to plans, Akkuyu could become operational next year.
The launch of Paks II represents a major development for Hungary's energy sector, aiming to ensure long-term supply stability and reduce dependence on external sources. However, given the safety and environmental concerns, the project is likely to remain a subject of debate and potential protest from environmental groups and local communities. With the delay of the Turkish plant, Hungary's progress positions it as a potential strategic player in the regional energy balance, relying on nuclear power as a primary energy source for decades to come.