The European Commission has approved the amendment of contracts "to speed up the investment" for the new Russian-built Paks 2 nuclear power project, Hungary's foreign minister Peter Szijjarto has said.

Hungary and Belarus have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation relating to the projects in both countries for new Russian VVER-1200 nuclear reactors.

Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto and Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev have agreed on amendments to the construction and financing agreement for the Paks II nuclear power plant, following talks in Moscow.

Hungary's Energy Minister Csaba Lantos said the Paks II plant is now expected to be completed in 2032, which would be two years later than previously suggested.

The European General Court has dismissed a case brought by the Austrian government to annul the European Commission's decision to approve state aid for the Paks II nuclear power plant in Hungary.

Hungary's National Atomic Energy Office has today granted a construction licence for two VVER-1200 reactors at the Paks II nuclear power plant site.

The International Atomic Energy Agency says Hungary has taken "significant steps to improve its preparedness for nuclear and radiological emergencies" since an initial IAEA Emergency Preparedness Review in 2016.

The Hungarian government has organised energy issues, including the Paks II project, to be under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, citing the changing situation in energy as well as around the project to build a Russian-supplied nuclear power plant.

Hungary says that Russia’s Rosatom has given reassurances that "in terms of technology they are able to complete the project", with Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó looking forward to the construction entering its next phase.

Hungary is committed to the safe and effective management of used nuclear fuel and radioactive waste, a team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency has concluded. However, it noted areas where it could be further enhanced.

The International Atomic Energy Agency's curriculum review at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics concluded the degree programme was "robust" and was "producing graduates with an excellent breadth and depth of knowledge".

 

An application to build the containment building of the first new unit at Hungary's Paks II nuclear power plant has been submitted. Project company Atomerőmű Zrt said it should be approved within 150 days. Meanwhile, Hungary's nuclear regulator has assumed a new, more independent, legal status.