Energy

A historic moment: the Paks expansion has officially begun

Published

2026. 02. 09. 05:19

Magyar Építők

The new unit at the Paks nuclear power plant is now under construction in accordance with the standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

On the morning of 5 February, the first concrete was poured for the expansion of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, marking the start of the actual physical construction of Unit 5:

More specifically, the construction of the base plate for the nuclear island in Block 5.

With this step, the project is now classified as a nuclear power plant under construction according to the standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

That is why today's event is so important.
According to information provided by the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority, the definition of the term „first concrete” derives directly from the terminology used by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In the IAEA's Power Reactor Information System (PRIS) database, which manages data on nuclear power plants around the world, the official start date of construction of a facility is recorded as the date of the first concrete pour for the reactor building (nuclear island) foundation slab.

That is why today's event is so important.

According to information provided by the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority, the definition of the term „first concrete” derives directly from the terminology used by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In the IAEA's Power Reactor Information System (PRIS) database, which manages data on nuclear power plants around the world, the official start date of construction of a facility is recorded as the date of the first concrete pour for the reactor building (nuclear island) foundation slab.

Our newspaper will also be present at the ceremony marking the first concrete pour, which will be followed by a tour of the work site. In addition to more detailed news, we plan to provide photos and videos from the site.

This is how the preparations went

Several conditions had to be met before construction work could begin on the base plate for the nuclear island of Unit 5, which is currently under construction. Our newspaper has been following these developments closely. On 4 November, at the same time as our interview with Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in Paris, four key permits for the construction of the nuclear island base plate.

On 18 November, we can report that all technical and licensing conditions have been met for the first concrete pouring of the expansion. By this time, the reinforced concrete structure had been completed, and the concrete mixing plant on the nuclear power plant site, which produces the special concrete required for the actual physical construction, was operational. In December, we were already able to write about the preparation of the assembly concrete and the start of the installation of the reinforcing steel, which took place earlier than planned.

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