Hungary energy sector updates: OPUS TITÁSZ excluded from EU tenders and new wind power capacity announced

The Hungarian Development Bank (MFB) has excluded OPUS TITÁSZ Áramhálózati Zrt. from network development and smart metering tenders funded by the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The decision stems from a failure to meet transparency requirements regarding ownership structures, a fundamental condition set by the European Commission to ensure EU funds benefit local consumers and businesses.

The Ministry of Economy and Energy stated it will seek alternative means to ensure that the affected settlements are not excluded from essential energy infrastructure upgrades. The ministry emphasized the need for a modern, resilient, and intelligent energy grid to ensure national energy security.

In a separate development regarding renewable energy, the Hungarian Energy and Public Utility Regulatory Authority (MEKH) is scheduled to announce a 700 megawatt wind power investment tender by August 31. This tender targets available medium- and high-voltage grid capacities for wind farm connections. While the new regulatory framework aims to expand wind capacity, industry experts have raised concerns regarding the timing of the tender, noting that the lack of prior information on available grid connection points could complicate long-term planning for developers.