Photo caption: Hungary’s Nuclear Power Plant Paks II construction officially underway
*It will be the first European power plant to feature third-generation VVER-1200 reactors
Paks II nuclear power plant in Hungary is now officially under construction. First concrete has been poured — and a ceremony to mark the occasion was held on February 5. Power units №5 and №6 will be built first, with cutting-edge third-generation VVER-1200 reactors powering them.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto and Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev were all present at the ceremony.
This is a key event in Hungary’s nuclear energy development — and it marks another important step with regards to peaceful uses of nuclear energy in Europe.
“This milestone event demonstrates the constructive and mutually beneficial relationship between our two countries. The Paks II NPP represents a logical development of our long-term cooperation in the field of nuclear energy. The Paks II NPP is undoubtedly a strategic move for Hungary that brings a number of substantial benefits to the country and drives its economic growth. As for Rosatom, the project is another confirmation of its leadership position in the nuclear industry and a contribution to the growth of Russian industry” — commented Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev.
On November 4, 2025 the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority (HAEA) issued permits which allowed construction crews to proceed with pouring first concrete into Paks II and constructing other buildings on the nuclear island. The project is fully compliant with international, European and national safety requirements. This includes an integrated approach to safety systems, both active and passive.
The Russian-Hungarian intergovernmental agreement from January 14, 2014 — as well as three base contracts — provide the legal basis for building the new Hungarian Paks II NPP power plant.
The Hungarian power plant further reinforces Rosatom’s role as a vital global energy partner. The company also spearheads several major nuclear projects in Africa, such as Egypt’s NPP El-Dabaa’s construction. Rosatom has also recently advanced preparations for a nuclear power project in Ethiopia.
