Ministry: Solar power ratio in Hungary’s electricity mix second biggest in EU

Written by BT/MTI

Hungary has the second largest share of solar power in its electricity mix in the European Union, with 18.16 percent after Greece’s 18.83 percent, the energy ministry said on Wednesday, citing a fresh analysis.

The Hungarian solar power ratio is almost double the EU average of 9.1 percent, the ministry said on Facebook.

The solar power capacity increases of the last several years have provided a solid basis for green energy production and storage, they said, noting that Hungary’s total solar output increased by over 1,600MW last year. More than a quarter of a million households have solar panels installed, compared with the 200,000 originally expected by 2030, they said.

Meanwhile, the ministry said more than 25,000 households have applied for subsidies for home solar panels and battery storage in an ongoing scheme. Households may apply for up to 5 million forints in support. Companies can also apply for government support for industrial battery storage investments.

The two subsidy programmes worth a combined 137 billion forints (EUR 354.2m) promote the fulfilment of climate protection obligations, relieve strain on the power grid and contribute to the ratio of green energy in the national energy mix, the ministry said.