Hungary’s Paks nuclear power plant was safely shut down for maintenance, according to Minister of Energy Csaba Lantos following a site visit. The shutdown is necessary for crucial upgrades and preventative maintenance to ensure continued safe operation. However, Lantos acknowledged the process will be expensive, impacting Hungary’s energy costs during the outage. The minister did not specify the exact financial burden but emphasized the government’s commitment to maintaining nuclear energy as a vital part of the country’s energy mix. Officials are working to minimize disruption and ensure alternative energy sources cover the shortfall during the maintenance period. The plant's long-term safety and reliability remain the priorities despite the economic challenges presented by the shutdown. Further details regarding the costs and timeline for completion are expected to be released soon.