Hungarian Energy Services at Risk as Flooding Escalates – UPDATED
Flooding on the River Danube poses no threat to energy services in Hungary, the energy ministry confirmed on Saturday. Energy Minister Csaba Lantos reassured the public that gas and electricity had been temporarily turned off in some affected settlements, but nationwide services were expected to continue without interruption.
A second-degree flood alert had been issued for the Danube near the Paks nuclear power plant, but officials do not anticipate raising it to a third degree as the river reaches its peak. The ministry also stated that the power lines and transformer stations operated by MAVIR, the national electricity grid operator, were not at risk of flooding.
At the Danube Refinery owned by MOL, two sluices have been closed and sandbags have been used to fortify two areas. Despite these precautions, operations at the refinery are ongoing without interruption.
In other energy news, geothermal energy was highlighted as a key sector of the green economy by State Secretary for Energy and Climate Policy, Attila Steiner. Speaking at the Budapest Geothermal Summit, Steiner emphasized the importance of geothermal energy in achieving decarbonization goals for the heating and cooling sector. Hungary is recognized as one of the top five EU countries in geothermal heat production, with notable systems in twelve cities including Szeged, which boasts the largest system in continental Europe.
Hungary aims to double its production of geothermal energy by 2030, significantly reducing gas consumption by the end of the decade and beyond. Steiner acknowledged challenges in utilizing geothermal energy, such as regulatory hurdles, financial risks, and low public awareness. He expressed the Hungarian presidency’s readiness to collaborate with EU member states to address these obstacles and deliver actionable solutions.
In related news, a new oil pipeline is set to connect Serbia with Százhalombatta, while thousands of Russian workers have arrived in Hungary to contribute to the Paks II project. The Hungarian government continues to prioritize energy security and sustainability in the face of natural disasters and ongoing infrastructure developments.
