Energy minister Lantos: Future of Hungarian industry is hydrogen

Hydrogen is expected to be a dominant energy component in the future, and the Hungarian industry must be ready for related technological changes, Csaba Lantos, the energy minister, told an international conference on Thursday.

Hungary is reinforcing its energy sovereignty and wants to rely more on domestic sources such as nuclear technology and renewables, he said.

Lantos told the event organised by the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association in Budapest that a “solar energy revolution” had taken place in Hungary, and solar panels producing 5,600 megawatts were operating by the end of last year.

Costs and storage in relation to green hydrogen were important issues, he said, adding that this area was in the research and development phase.

Hungary’s first green hydrogen production plant was inaugurated last year, and Hungarian oil and gas company MOL’s green hydrogen plant will start production soon, he noted, adding that three green hydrogen plants will be operating in the country soon.

Meanwhile, state-owned railway company MÁV aims to put hydrogen-powered trains and buses into service within three years, János Lázár, the construction and transport minister, told the conference.

He said a ten-year, HUF 6,500 billion (EUR 17.1 billion) development plan for the MÁV-Volan railway and bus group has been submitted to the government.

Fourth hydrocarbon well starts operation in SE Hungary

The wells were opened in a bid to increase Hungary’s energy sovereignty and the security of supplies, in a conglomerate of companies with the participation of energy supplier MVM Group.

The wells have so far produced 46 million cubic meters of natural gas and 56,000 cubic meters of light oil, the statement said.

Domestic energy resources are a priority for Hungary’s government as a way to boost its energy sovereignty, the ministry said.

Hungary’s energy reserves are above 80 percent full even halfway through the heating season, the statement noted.

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