Project also in works for two new Russia-supplied units
The operator of the Paks nuclear power station in Hungary has told the European Union of the country’s intention to extend the operating lifetime of the facility’s four reactor units to 70 years.
Peter Janos Horvarth, chief executive officer of operator MVM Paksi Atomeromu Zrt, was quoted by The Budapest Times as saying that in accordance with Euratom regulations the announcement of the extension plan had been made to the EU.
He said it marks the beginning of the roughly decade-long process to extend the operating licence by another 20 years.
Horvarth told a press conference that Hungary’s electricity demand is expected to increase by 50% by 2030 and nuclear energy is crucial to energy supply.
The Budpaest Times said plans for the lifetime extensions are expected to be ready in 2028.
The existing four units at Paks are Russia-supplied VVER-440 reactors that began commercial operation between August 1983 and November 1987 and in 2022 produced 47% of the country's electricity.
Their design lifetime was for 30 years but that was extended in 2005 by 20 years, to between 2032 and 2037.
Russia and Hungary have signed a schedule for the construction two new units at Paks, with the first scheduled to go online by 2030.
Both units for Paks 2 will be Generation III+ VVER-1200 pressurised water reactor units supplied by Russia.
