Paks Nuclear Power Plant in Hungary to Operate for Additional 20 Years

Published: December 06 2023

The Paks nuclear power plant in Hungary will operate for an additional 20 years, following an announcement in October. The plant's operating license will be extended until 2052-57, contributing to the country's climate objectives.

The Paks nuclear power plant's operating life will be extended by 20 years, in compliance with Euratom regulations. The plant's four units, currently with a capacity of 506-509 MW each, started operating in the 1980s and their original 30-year lifetime was extended in 2012-2017. The lifetime extension does not require the construction of a new nuclear power plant, but rather a smaller investment in reconstruction.

The decision to extend the operating life of the Paks nuclear power plant is justified by the growing demand for electricity in Hungary. The continued operation of the plant will help meet the increasing electricity consumption, which is projected to increase by 1.5 times by 2030. Additionally, the use of imported electricity in Hungary has recently risen to over 3,000 megawatts.

To extend the plant's lifetime, approximately 250 reconstructions will be needed, with a significant investment involved. The reconstruction of the electrical and control system alone will require a €1.5 billion investment. The extension of the Paks nuclear power plant's lifetime will support Hungary's goal of becoming fully carbon neutral by 2050.

The Paks nuclear power plant plays a significant role in Hungary's energy landscape. In 2022, it generated 79% of the energy produced by the MVM Group, accounting for 47% of the country's gross domestic production. With the recent developments, the MVM group's electricity generation is now 83% carbon neutral. However, further efforts are needed to increase this share and achieve full carbon neutrality by 2050.

Photo via MTI/Kiss Dániel

What is the Paks nuclear power plant in Hungary? The Paks nuclear power plant is a power plant located in Paks, southern Hungary. It consists of four units that started operating between 1982 and 1987.

How long is the operating life of the Paks nuclear power plant being extended? The operating life of the Paks nuclear power plant is being extended by 20 years, until 2052-57.

Why is the operating life of the Paks nuclear power plant being extended? The extension of the operating life is justified by the growing demand for electricity in Hungary. The use of imported electricity in Hungary has recently risen to over 3,000 megawatts, and Hungarian electricity consumption is expected to increase by one and a half times by 2030.

Does the extension of the operating life of the Paks nuclear power plant require the construction of a new plant? No, the extension of the operating life does not require the construction of a new nuclear power plant. The reconstruction of the existing plant requires a much smaller investment.

What is the capacity of each unit of the Paks nuclear power plant? Currently, each unit of the Paks nuclear power plant has a capacity of 506-509 MW.

How many nuclear reactors are currently in operation worldwide? There are currently 412 nuclear reactors with a capacity of 370,000 MW in operation worldwide.

How many nuclear reactors are under construction worldwide? There are currently 58 nuclear reactors under construction worldwide with a capacity of 60,000 MW.

How much is the reconstruction of the Paks nuclear power plant expected to cost? The reconstruction of the Paks nuclear power plant is expected to cost more than HUF 1 billion (EUR 2.6 million) for half of the approximately 250 necessary reconstructions. The reconstruction of the electrical and control system will be a EUR 1.5 billion investment.

What percentage of the energy produced by the MVM Group is generated by the Paks nuclear power plant? In 2022, 79 percent of the energy produced by the MVM Group was generated by the Paks nuclear power plant.

What percentage of gross domestic production does the Paks nuclear power plant account for? The Paks nuclear power plant accounts for 47 percent of gross domestic production.

What is the goal for Hungary to become fully carbon neutral? The goal is to make Hungary fully carbon neutral by 2050. Currently, the MVM group's electricity generation is 83 percent carbon neutral, but this share needs to be further increased.