Hungary 2022

Energy Policy Review

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About this report

The International Energy Agency (IEA) regularly conducts in-depth peer reviews of the energy policies of its member countries. This process supports energy policy development and encourages the exchange of international best practices and experiences.

Since the last IEA review in 2017, Hungary has increased its climate ambitions by legislating a carbon neutrality goal for 2050 and adopting a long-term vision with the National Clean Development Strategy, which guides energy policy decision making.

Hungary has a strong starting point with considerable low carbon generation thanks to a remarkable growth of solar photovoltaic (PV) and the lifetime extension of its nuclear reactors up to mid-2030s. The government has an ambitious target of 90% clean electricity by 2030, Hungary needs to maintain and increase its low carbon generation. Alongside nuclear energy, a diverse renewable energy portfolio and greater power system flexibility for the integration of high shares of solar PV are critical.

The country needs to reduce the high vulnerability and reliance on Russia for gas, oil and nuclear, through policies that lower fossil fuel consumption, increase energy efficiency and promote investments in clean energy technologies and human resources to deliver a just and inclusive transition. To decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors in the medium term, Hungary is shifting gear and is boosting its ambitions in hydrogen use in transport and industry.

In this report, the IEA provides energy policy recommendations to help Hungary effectively manage the transformation of its energy sector in line with its goals.