Hungary’s only nuclear power plant has been forced offline for the first time in 44 years due to historically low water levels in the Danube River, a critical component of the plant’s cooling system. The closure coincides with a severe heatwave driving up energy demand across the country. This shutdown intensifies existing power shortages, leading the Hungarian government to appeal for energy conservation from citizens and businesses alike. As a result, Hungary is now reliant on importing electricity from its neighbors, a significantly more expensive solution. The situation underscores the vulnerability of energy infrastructure to the escalating impacts of climate change and extreme weather events. The incident raises concerns about Hungary’s energy security and future preparedness for similar environmental challenges.