Electricity in Hungary in 2023/2024

As of the last 12 months, from October 2023 to September 2024, Hungary has been generating electricity with a diverse mix of energy sources. Low-carbon energy sources account for nearly half of the total electricity generated, making up about 49.85%. This includes nuclear energy, which constitutes 33.17%, and solar power, which contributes 12.35%. Additionally, fossil fuels still play a significant but smaller role, accounting for 19.38% of electricity, primarily comprised of gas at 13.46% and coal at 5.89%. Biofuels and wind energy also contribute, but significantly less, with shares of 2.2% and 1.51%, respectively. Net imports from other countries make up about 29.73% of Hungary's electricity consumption.

Suggestions

To further increase low-carbon electricity generation, Hungary could focus on expanding its existing nuclear and solar capacities, areas where the country already demonstrates substantial competence. By focusing on these technologies, Hungary could significantly reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and imports. Learning from other successful countries can be insightful; for instance, Slovakia generates 60% of its electricity from nuclear sources, which showcases the potential for Hungary to do the same. Denmark and Germany can serve as benchmarks for wind energy, generating 61% and 31% of their electricity from wind, respectively. These examples provide successful models of high penetration of clean energy that Hungary can emulate or adapt according to its resources and infrastructure.

History

Looking back at the history of low-carbon electricity in Hungary, significant developments have taken place over the decades. In the mid-1980s, nuclear energy saw substantial increases, with notable boosts in 1983, 1985, and 1987, growing by over 2 TWh annually during those years. However, there was a sharp decline in 2003 with a 2.9 TWh reduction, but subsequent years saw recovery and further increases. Solar power, a more recent addition, has been on a consistent rise since 2019, with significant growth each year, particularly a remarkable 1.9 TWh increase in 2023. Nevertheless, in the last year, there was a slight decline in both solar and nuclear generation by 1.1 TWh each, while biofuels decreased by 0.8 TWh. Despite these fluctuations, the long-term trend indicates a steady increase in low-carbon electricity generation overall.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Maximum Imports

Data Sources