Solar energy overtook natural gas to become Hungary’s second-largest source of electricity in 2024, according to data from the energy think tank Ember, Hungary’s Energy Ministry said.  In H1 2025, it accounted for close to 30% of electricity generation.

According to the report by Ember, the four main sources – nuclear, solar, gas and coal – accounted for 92% of Hungary’s electricity generation last year. Nuclear power remained the largest contributor, while the share of coal continued to decline, falling to 6%.

Hungary's solar share was more than triple the 8.8% global average and was up from 11.3% four years earlier solar capacity exceeded 9 GW early in September 2025. It is on track to expand by 1 GW for the fourth consecutive year in 2025 and is set to reach 12,000 MW by 2030, nearly double the previous target.

In comparison, the four blocks at Paks nuclear power plant have a built-in capacity of 2 GW.

Solar power production has increased sharply since 2018, driven by expanding photovoltaic capacity and favourable investment conditions, state subsidies, while gas-based electricity production has declined gradually over the same period.

The government made significant efforts to promote solar investments among retail users through state-subsidized programs, but failed to address the necessary network upgrades. Three years ago, it implemented a temporary moratorium on solar panel feed-ins, citing the country's outdated electricity grid as inadequate for handling the increasing renewable capacity.

While the country’s energy strategy builds on nuclear and solar as two main pillars, Hungary has also made strides to increase hydrocarbon production.

Hungary’s oil production exceeded 1mn tonnes for the first time in 20 years, while gas output reached around 1.9bcm, which covers a fifth of the country’s production and two-thirds of household needs.

Analysts note that the surge in solar capacity poses new challenges for grid stability and energy storage, but also represents a significant step toward Hungary’s renewable energy and climate goals. The government aims to increase the share of renewable energy in total electricity generation to at least 30% by 2030, with solar expected to play a leading role.