Hungary’s reliance on electricity imports dropped to its lowest level in more than a decade last month, as rising domestic energy production and record-breaking solar output reshaped the country's energy landscape. Imports accounted for just 9.9% of gross electricity consumption in April, down sharply from 15.4% in the same month last year and marking the lowest share since early 2012, the Energy Ministry said on May 25.

The drop reflects a broader trend toward energy self-sufficiency. Domestic electricity production grew from 2,816 GWh to 3,020 GWh year on year, while overall consumption remained broadly stable at around 3,350 GWh. Hungary was a net exporter of electricity on five days in April, and the trend continued into May, with export surpluses registered in the first three days.

Hungary is also reducing its dependence on imported fossil fuels. According to the ministry, gas production reached nearly 480 mcm in Q1 2025, while crude oil output surged nearly 20%, to close to 300,000 tonnes. March saw the highest monthly crude output in recent memory at more than 104,000 tonnes led by Hungary’s flagship oil company MOL, which has stepped up local extraction

In total, Hungary extracted 1.9bn cubic metres of natural gas in 2024, up 8% from the previous year. Annual crude oil production also hit a 20-year high of 1mn. Domestic gas output covered over one-fifth of Hungary’s annual demand in 2024. Growing utilisation of geothermal heat and biogas is also helping to reduce energy imports, the ministry added.

The country has made significant strides in clean energy as well. Hungary recorded the highest global share of solar power in its electricity mix in 2024, with installed renewable capacities now surpassing 8 GW. Solar alone accounted for a quarter of all electricity produced in the country last year, driven by massive investment in utility-scale plants and household installations, now exceeding 300,000.

Hungary now ranks ninth globally in per capita solar capacity. The rapid growth of solar, alongside stable output from the Paks nuclear power plant (NPP), has allowed Hungary to increasingly meet its electricity needs from carbon-free sources, and even generate a surplus for export.

To maximise the value of solar power, the government is promoting industrial-scale battery storage. Up to 500 MW of storage capacity could be operational as early as next year, helping to shift excess daytime generation into the evening, when demand and market prices rise.

Hungary’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) targets at least a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, revised up from 40%. It seeks to boost the share of renewables in its energy mix to 29% from 21% by increasing the share of solar in the energy mix as well.

Installed solar capacity is set to reach 12 GWh by 2030, double the earlier target. The four blocks of Hungary’s sole NPP in Paks operate with 2,000 MW of capacity at present, and produce 40% of the country's electricity needs.