Magyar said earlier on Sunday that four of the plant’s eight turbines were back online as construction of an underwater weir to raise Danube water levels around the plant’s cooling conduits was progressing faster than planned.

Magyar told reporters that the plant’s output was being gradually increased and would soon reach 1,000 MW. The plant is expected to be operating at its nameplate capacity of 2,000 MW by Wednesday, he added.

Seven of the plant’s eight cooling pumps were operating, Magyar said.

Construction of the underwater weir was progressing faster than planned, with only a 150-meter gap remaining. Magyar put the resulting increase in the water level at 15-20 centimeters.

The prime minister said the government would submit draft legislation to Parliament aimed at mitigating the climate change crisis, highlighting the need for improved water management and greater energy diversification. The legislation could be approved in the fall following consultations with experts and the public, he added.

Magyar acknowledged the efforts of more than 1,000 people who have worked at the nuclear plant site for weeks to ensure it could continue operating.

In light of offers from companies to join those efforts, Magyar said the government had decided it would be “right and fair” for local businesses and multinationals to contribute to the cost of commemorations marking the upcoming 70th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, or even to the construction of a monument.

He added that the former Fidesz-KDNP government had spent all the money earmarked for such events, leaving only a “couple hundred million forints” for the commemoration.

Defense Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi said soldiers and special forces had been working on the underwater weir for nine days since the first stones were delivered.

Economy and Energy Minister István Kapitány praised the solidarity shown by Hungarian businesses and households in recent weeks, when electricity consumption was voluntarily reduced to help ensure energy security.

Pál Kádár, head of the Defense Administration Office, said 180-220 people were working around the clock on the underwater weir. He added that HUF 1.6 billion (EUR 4.4 mln) of the estimated HUF 6.1 bln total cost had been spent so far.

Answering questions, Kapitány said extending the lifespan of the existing Paks blocks remained a long-term option. He also cited plans to add 3,000-4,000 MW of wind power capacity, build small modular reactors and increase battery storage capacity to 3,000 MW within a few years.

He noted that the planned expansion of the Paks nuclear power plant was currently under review.

The Paks plant accounts for 33%-35% of Hungary’s electricity consumption, Magyar said. Without it, Hungary’s emissions and energy costs would rise, he added.