Hungary to Get Through Winter without Running Out of Gas

László Palkovics, the Minister of Technology and Innovation, gave a positive evaluation of the country’s gas supplies and electricity grid, but said that the strategy is about to be reviewed in order to further reduce Hungary’s energy dependency.

Hungary’s energy dependency has decreased significantly, László Palkovics, the Minister of Technology and Industry, said at the 52nd International Gas Conference in Siófok on Tuesday.

“Ten years ago the country had only two gas transmission points, and now, although the infrastructure is in place, only the transmission and reception of gas to Slovenia is not functioning,” he added.

“Now there is less gas coming from the north and the east, but long-term gas purchase contracts and market conditions allow us to get the gas we need,” Palkovics said.

According to the Minister, domestic gas storage capacity was 72 percent full on Monday morning.

“If gas comes from the south, we can get gas from the market. The most optimistic scenario is that we can get through the heating season without running out of commercial gas until sometime in March. The level of our storage facilities ensures that this winter will be manageable,” he explained.

The Minister pointed out that the electricity grid has adequate bandwidth connections with all the surrounding countries and has a stable fuel supply. “As long as the Friendship oil pipeline delivers sufficient quantities and quality of crude oil, Hungary’s supply is in order and we will be able to replenish the strategic stock that has been drawn down,” he added.

According to Palkovics, the country’s energy strategy is about to be reviewed. He said that the most important issue is to reduce the share of natural gas in the energy mix.

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