The Hungarian government plans to expand the country’s wind power capacity more than tenfold by 2030 as part of efforts to strengthen energy independence, improve energy security and accelerate the transition to cleaner sources of power.
In a video message published on Wednesday, Economy and Energy Minister István Kapitány announced that the programme will be supported by European Union funding and will represent one of the largest renewable energy investments in Hungary’s recent history.
According to the minister, Hungary’s wind power capacity has remained effectively frozen at around 330 megawatts since 2016, while the country’s rapid growth in renewable energy production over the past decade has been driven primarily by solar power.
Kapitány argued that a diversified energy mix is essential for ensuring a stable and reliable electricity supply.
‘Wind and solar power complement each other perfectly,’ he said. ‘When the sun is not shining, the weather is cloudy, or it is nighttime, wind turbines can continue generating electricity. This makes the entire system stronger and more predictable.’
The first step in the expansion programme will be a tender for at least 700 megawatts of new wind power capacity, scheduled to be published on 31 August. The project is expected to attract close to €1 billion in investment.
The minister also announced that a public consultation on the draft tender documentation will begin in mid-July to ensure transparency. He said the tender process would be fully competitive and free from discrimination and corruption.
By 2030, the government plans to launch tenders covering a total of 4 gigawatts of new wind power capacity.
Kapitány noted that while wind farms do not operate at maximum output continuously, the planned capacity is roughly equivalent to the nominal generating capacity of four reactor units at the Paks nuclear power plant, illustrating the scale of the programme.
The minister stressed that expanding renewable energy generation must be accompanied by significant upgrades to Hungary’s electricity grid.
He said up to €1.5 billion in EU funding could be allocated to modernizing transmission and distribution networks and developing the infrastructure needed to connect the new generating capacity.
According to Kapitány, electricity transmission and distribution operators are already working intensively on preparations for the necessary network upgrades.
The government views the expansion of wind energy as a key element of its broader strategy to reduce dependence on imported energy while building a cleaner and more resilient energy system.
Related articles:
At a time when public debate is increasingly polarized and superficial, Hungarian Conservative remains committed to depth, intellectual honesty, and independent conservative thought.
Producing high-quality journalism requires resources. Your contribution helps us expand our coverage, reach new audiences, and keep our content accessible.
Please consider supporting our mission.
