Expert criticizes Magyar's energy claims, highlights Hungary's capacity growth

Olivér Hortay, head of the Energy and Climate Policy Business Unit at Századvég, has criticized statements made by Péter Magyar regarding Hungary's energy situation, particularly concerning the Paks nuclear power plant. Hortay argues that Magyar is questioning the absence of investments that are not clearly defined, while overlooking significant energy developments over the past decade and a half.

Hortay attributes the current manageable challenge, primarily felt in early evening hours due to the Paks plant's reduced output, to the substantial growth in domestic solar capacity. He notes that this capacity has expanded from one megawatt to nine gigawatts between 2010 and 2026. Furthermore, he points out that cross-border electricity import capacities have nearly doubled in the last fifteen years, hundreds of megawatts of energy storage have been installed, and development of two large gas power plants has commenced.

Despite these developments, Hortay acknowledges the continued need for expanding flexible production capacities. He specifically questions the existence of a ten-billion-forint pumped-storage energy investment mentioned by the Prime Minister, stating there is no record of such a project. This raises doubts about whether the Prime Minister was referring to an actual, existing project.

Finally, Hortay also criticized the proposed four-gigawatt wind power development plan advocated by the Tisza party. He contends that even with such capacity, wind power would only be able to replace a fraction of the Paks plant's lost production under recent weather conditions, deeming significant state funding for this development unjustified.