Hungary - World Nuclear Outlook Report
Current operations
Four VVER-440 reactors operate at the Paks nuclear power plant, 100 km south of Budapest. The plant generates around half of the electricity produced in Hungary, but supplies around one-third of electricity demand, as the country relies heavily on imported electricity. The plant operator intends to extend the operating lifetimes of the four units to 70 years.
Lower river levels resulted in output from the plant being significantly curtailed for nearly four weeks in July and August 2026. The installation of a bottom sill/submerged weir and modifications to the pumping channels are planned to mitigate the impacts of any future lowering of river levels.
Construction started on unit 1 of Paks II in February 2026, the first of two VVER-1200 units planned.
Table Hu.1 Nuclear capacity status (as of 31 December 2025)
| Operable reactors | Operable reactors net capacity (MWe) | Operable reactors gross capacity (MWe) | Reactors under construction | Reactors under construction gross capacity (MWe) | Carbon dioxide emissions avoided (cf. coal) (MtCO2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 1916 | 2027 | - | - | 526 |
Nuclear policy and outlook
The previous Orbán-led administration established plans for 60-70% of electricity to be supplied by nuclear power from the 2030s. That government had also been in discussion with other governments regarding collaboration on SMRs.
A new government under PM Péter Magyar was formed in May 2026. The government announced it would review the financing and implementation of Paks II. Magyar considers nuclear energy essential but has openly called Paks II overpriced and ordered a comprehensive review of all contracts.
Table Hu.2 Contributions to total capacity projection in 2050
| 60 year operation (MWe) | 80 year operation (MWe) | Currently under construction capacity (MWe) | Planned capacity (MWe) | Proposed capacity (MWe) | Potential capacity (MWe) | Government capacity target (MWe) | Additional capacity* required to meet government target (MWe) | Total capacity (MWe) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2027 | 1200 | 1200 | - | - | - | - | 4427 |
| *Capacity additional to operable, under construction, planned, proposed and potential capacities required to meet the government target. | ||||||||
Readiness Assessment
Hungary has progressed its main new build project, Paks II, into nuclear construction. The review announced by the new government creates uncertainty in the near term, but acknowledges nuclear's important role.
| Country Category | Expander |
|---|---|
| Policy Framework Readiness | Moderate-High The 2026 review of the Paks II project cost announced by the new government has raised some uncertainty, but the government has said that nuclear power would continue to play an important role. |
| Institutional and Infrastructure Readiness | High Hungary has a strong institutional base for nuclear operation and for a new build project, with an experienced operator and regulator, as well as an established domestic nuclear workforce around Paks. |
| Programme & Project Development | Moderate-High Paks II-1 is under construction and Paks II-2 is in advanced site preparation. The outcome of the 2026 review will determine if this rating is maintained. |
| Target Achievability | Moderate Start of construction on Paks II is a step towards the goal to meeting 60-70% of Hungary's electricity needs from nuclear electricity. However, this will be dependent on the outcome of the 2026 review. |
