Hungary is doing its part in maintaining nuclear safety around the world, Péter Szíjjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said at the general assembly of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna.
“Hungary has been tasked to preside over the nuclear safety workgroup for another year,” Minister Szíjjártó said. He added that this and the fact that in 2021 Budapest will host a conference on combatting global nuclear terrorism are proof that “the country is a forerunner in the efforts for nuclear safety”.
According to MTI, the Minister said nuclear safety is particularly important in Central Europe, whose countries rely heavily on nuclear energy. Hungary gets over 40 percent of its electricity from its single Soviet-built nuclear power plant in Paks, some 100 km south of Budapest.
The plant is currently undergoing a capacity expansion that will bring its total output to 1,200 megawatts from the current 500 megawatts.
Minister Szíjjártó said both the expansion of the plant and the ongoing nuclear research in Hungary provide ample opportunities for the country, adding that in the past few years Hungary grants scholarships to hundreds of nuclear engineers every year.
Speaking at the same conference, government commissioner in charge of the Paks expansion János Süli said that Hungary needs the additional capacity both to ensure reliable energy supply and to keep electricity prices in check in the long-term.
Photo credit: Hír TV