Hungary’s long-stagnant wind energy sector could be on the verge of a major transformation. The government has unveiled a package of measures aimed at increasing the country’s wind power capacity more than tenfold by 2030, backed by a planned EUR 1.5 billion investment in electricity grid upgrades, the designation of new development areas for wind projects, and the launch of a multi-year programme of annual tenders that could unlock at least 4,000 MW of new grid connection capacity.
The Hungarian government has announced several measures that could give wind energy developments in Hungary an unprecedented boost. The objective is to increase the country’s wind power capacity more than tenfold by 2030, from the current installed exceptionally low capacity of approximately 330 MW, which has remained largely unchanged since 2016, to at least 4,000 MW of new grid connection capacity. Under the draft decree, the government intends to allocate at least 700 MW of new capacity with the tender being published by 31 August 2026; however, no upper limit is set on the capacity to be allocated.
According to the government’s announcement, approximately EUR 1.5 billion will be invested in the development of the electricity grid. In addition, the government announced the designation of new simplified development areas aimed at facilitating wind power developments.
At present, a comprehensive package of energy-related legislative measures – including the draft decree referred to above, which amends the rules governing the tender procedure for the allocation of available capacity on the medium- and high-voltage electricity grid – is subject to public consultation. The consultation period will close on 21 August 2026; however, the final content of the regulatory framework will only become known once the relevant legislation is published in the Hungarian Official Gazette. The draft tender documentation is also already available, although, as is customary at this stage the Hungarian Energy and Public Utility Regulatory Authority (MEKH) reserves the right to amend its content.
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According to the draft decree, Hungary is not planning a one-off tender. Under the proposed framework, the MEKH will be required to launch at least one tender per year for the allocation of grid connection capacity for wind power projects between 2027 and 2030, thereby establishing a predictable, long-term tender programme for the market.
According to the current draft, applications for the first tender may be submitted between 1 September and 18 September 2026. The draft tender documentation also contains several provisions that may be particularly relevant for prospective investors. Applicants may receive a more favourable evaluation if they undertake to grant a call option for an ownership interest of up to 30% in the project company to a state-owned company designated by government decision, a local municipality, a municipally owned company or an association of such entities. Applicants may also receive a more favourable evaluation where the electricity generated by the wind power project is to be sold on a long-term basis to a municipality, a majority municipally owned company or a state-owned company as a system user. In addition, the proposed framework allows energy storage facilities, where technically justified, to be connected alongside wind power projects. Successful bidders should also be aware of the strict implementation requirements: failure by a successful bidder to submit the required construction permit to MEKH by the prescribed deadline may result in the performance security being called. Successful applicants would also be required to commence the use of their grid connection rights within 24 months from the specified grid connection date.
„While the regulatory framework is still being finalised, the draft documents already provide meaningful guidance to investors interested in the Hungarian wind energy market. With applications currently scheduled for September 2026, market participants considering investments in Hungary may wish to start preparing their projects now” – added Torsten Braner, Partner of Taylor Wessing Hungary.
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