Budapest made huge savings in January: but how?

The Metropolitan Council of Budapest saved some HUF 9 billion (EUR 23.5 million) in electricity bills for public lighting, drinking water supplies and public transport this January by purchasing electricity at a daily spot price instead of signing a long-term contract, the deputy mayor said on Thursday.

Ambrus Kiss said the council had decided to purchase electricity at a daily price instead of signing a long-term contract because offers received in the autumn for electricity procurement were too expensive.

Electricity for drinking water supply and public transport was offered to the council at HUF 300 (EUR 0.78) per kWh and public lighting at HUF 462 (EUR 1.20) per kWh, he said. By opting for the daily spot price, it ended up paying HUF 77 (EUR 0.20) per kWh for electricity for drinking water supply, HUF 117 (EUR 0.31) per kWh for public lighting, and HUF 138 (EUR 0.36) per kWh for public transport, he added.

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As a result, Budapest saved around HUF 4 billion (EUR 10.5 million) in public lighting, HUF 1.5 billion (EUR 3.9 million) in drinking water supplies and HUF 3.5 billion (EUR 9.1 million) in public transport, he said.

Meanwhile, Kiss said Ukrainian refugees, many from Transcarpathia, spent more than 100,000 nights in the care of the capital, which is accommodating them at several locations. The city administration is helping them to integrate into the labour market and supports their education, he said.

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Source: MTI