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Paks II Nuclear Power Plant Construction Begins in Hungary
Construction of Hungary’s Paks II nuclear power plant has officially begun. Crews poured first concrete on February 5, marking a major milestone for the project. The facility will become the first power plant in Europe to use third-generation VVER-1200 reactors.
Power units No. 5 and No. 6 will come first. These reactors will deliver enhanced safety, efficiency, and long-term reliability.
High-Level Officials Mark Milestone
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi attended the ceremony. Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Peter Szijjarto, and Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev also took part.
The event marks a significant step in Hungary’s nuclear energy programme. It also highlights continued progress in the peaceful use of nuclear energy across Europe.
Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev said the milestone reflects strong cooperation between Hungary and Russia. He described Paks II as a strategic project that will support Hungary’s energy security and economic growth.
Likhachev added that the project confirms Rosatom’s leadership in the global nuclear industry. He noted that it also contributes to the growth of Russia’s industrial sector.
Paks II Nuclear Power Plant Construction Begins in Hungary
Regulatory Approval and Safety Standards
On November 4, 2025, the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority issued permits for construction. The approval allowed teams to pour first concrete and begin work on nuclear island buildings.
The project meets international, European, and national safety standards. It applies an integrated safety approach, combining both active and passive protection systems.
A Russian–Hungarian intergovernmental agreement signed on January 14, 2014, provides the legal foundation for the project. Three core contracts further define the scope and responsibilities for building Paks II.
Paks II strengthens Rosatom’s position as a key global energy partner. Beyond Europe, the company leads major nuclear projects in Africa.
Rosatom is currently building Egypt’s El-Dabaa nuclear power plant. It has also advanced preparations for a nuclear energy project in Ethiopia.
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