Nuclear reactors in Hungary

Abstract

Hungary has an extremely serious past and potential in the field of nuclear energy and nuclear research. Hungary's first nuclear facility was the research reactor at Csillebérc, it started operating in 1959, which was a major step in nuclear science and technology, enabling Hungary to join international research in the field. The second nuclear facility in the row is the training reactor of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, which is the first reactor designed and built entirely in Hungary, it has been serving nuclear education and practical training since 1971. The theoretical and practical knowledge and experience gained in these facilities enabled the design and construction of the Paks nuclear power plant in the second half of the 1970s, than it’s electrical grid connection in 1982. The slow but steady increase of the electrical consumption necessitates the extension of nuclear power plant capacity, which launched the Paks 2 nuclear power plant project, therefore, two nuclear power units will be built at the Paks site. However, in addition to a high level of professional competence, the operation of nuclear reactors requires serious safety and security preparedness, from the operator and from the National Nuclear Emergency Management System. The author's aim is to draw attention to safety issues in nuclear reactors currently in operation.