Hungary’s government has declared an “energy emergency” in response to supply disruptions and skyrocketing energy prices in Europe, an official said.
There is “unlikely to be enough gas in Europe for the autumn and winter heating season”, and Hungary will increase its domestic energy production capacities to ensure adequate supply, Gulyás told a news conference in the capital, Budapest.
Hungary will boost its annual production of natural gas from 1.5 billion cubic meters (52.9 billion cubic feet) to two billion cubic meters (70.6 billion cubic feet), increase the extraction of lignite (brown coal) and put a currently non-functioning lignite-fired power plant back online, Gulyás said.
Energy exports will be banned, and Hungary’s only nuclear power plant will also increase its production by extending its operating times, he added. The measures will go into effect in August.