Budapest and Bucharest dim lights as Europe faces energy crisis

Budapest and Bucharest have dimmed their lights as Europe grapples with an escalating energy crisis, intensified by prolonged periods of extreme heat. Decorative lighting has been switched off, and streetlights reduced by a third in Bucharest, where Romania has declared a state of energy emergency until the end of August.

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It seems we have reached this point due to bad decisions that were made regarding the climate crisis that has been ongoing for decades.

Residents attribute the crisis to decades of poor decisions regarding climate change. "It seems we have reached this point due to bad decisions that were made regarding the climate crisis that has been ongoing for decades," said resident Mircea. Budapest has also significantly reduced its illumination, disappointing tourists like Silke Schneiders from Germany, who expressed her frustration: "I am very disappointed because I come to Budapest once in a lifetime and last night I climbed the hill and waited for the lights to turn on. But nothing happened. I was so disappointed."

However, the energy-saving measures have garnered support from some locals. In Paks, Hungary's sole nuclear power plant, only one reactor is operational because the Danube's low water level is insufficient to cool all reactors. This plant supplies about 40% of Hungary's electricity. "This is a minimal, minimal reaction to the whole situation. I fully approve and support this," stated Budapest resident Peter Hajmasi. Another resident, Andrea Viktoria Orban, added, "I think it is a very good thing in the current situation. It is a very responsible decision to set an example."

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I am very disappointed because I come to Budapest once in a lifetime and last night I climbed the hill and waited for the lights to turn on. But nothing happened. I was so disappointed.

Similar issues affect Romania's Cernavoda nuclear power plant, where only one reactor is running. Authorities are taking extreme measures, including blasting rocks to redirect water from the Danube and submerging barges to increase water flow to the plant. "Most of Europe, due to these long periods of extreme heat, has water levels far, far below what is needed and for a long period. This creates cooling problems not only for nuclear power plants but also for thermal ones, because there is not enough water to cool them. And not only is there not enough water, but the water temperature is also higher. This means they are harder to cool. That's why they have to take such extreme measures," explained Jess Ralston, head of energy at the unit for energy and climate intelligence analysis.

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This is a minimal, minimal reaction to the whole situation. I fully approve and support this.

The low water levels extend to the Sava River, impacting Slovenia's Krško nuclear power plant, which will reduce its electricity production by 20%. Krško currently provides nearly 60% of Slovenia's daily electricity consumption.

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I think it is a very good thing in the current situation. It is a very responsible decision to set an example.