MVM Hungarowind, a unit of the state-owned electricity firm MVM, plans to build 110 small solar power plants, with a maximum capacity of 0.5MW, as part of several projects across Hungary this year with European Union co-financing, the company said on August 29.

Renewable energy sources (RES) play an increasingly important role in Hungary's consumption, rising from 2.2% in 2004 to 14.5% in 2015, just above the country's commitment to the EU. The share of wind and solar energy is still minimal, while biomass makes up the majority of clean energy generation. 

Hungary managed to meet the targets by adding firewood used by individuals as part of the mix, which was due to a change in methodology. 

In Hungary's energy strategy for 2030, decision makers stressed the need for energy independence. The cornerstones for this goal are increasing energy savings and domestic renewable energy used in a decentralised manner, the integration into European energy infrastructures, and nuclear energy. Half of Hungary's energy is produced at the Paks nuclear power plant, which will be extended by two new blocks by 2026 or 2027, doubling capacity, but two blocks will go out of operation after 2030.

MVM’s new power plants will be scattered evenly across the country's main regions and are expected to start commercial operation before the end of 2018.

Once the investments are completed, the MVM group will have Hungary's biggest solar power generation capacity, the statement said.

Hungary’s biggest photovoltaic power plant, with 16 MW capacity, opened in October 2015, on premises owned by Matrai Power Plant, the largest coal-fired power plant in the country. The power plant was taken over this spring by Lorinc Meszaros, a close friend of Prime Minister Viktor Orban.