Hungary’s gas-fired electricity generation increased by 69.52% in the week ended November 1, as rising electricity demand and lower wind and solar output increased reliance on dispatchable plants. The Institute of Energy for South-East Europe (IENE) said the trend highlights the growing role of conventional generation in maintaining supply across Central and Southeast European markets.
Overall thermal generation in Hungary rose by 46.45%, while variable renewable output fell by 11.6%. Electricity consumption increased by approximately 5.7%, and weekly net electricity imports were broadly unchanged at 268.85 GWh. The figures suggest higher domestic thermal generation covered much of the additional supply requirement.
Hungary’s day-ahead prices rise
Hungary’s average day-ahead wholesale electricity price reached €284.63/MWh, up 5.90% from the previous week. The increase was more moderate than in Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia, but Hungary remained among four regional markets trading at approximately €284–287/MWh. On October 29, the daily average price climbed to €324.58/MWh.
The increase in gas-fired generation coincided with rising Dutch TTF natural gas prices during the same week, highlighting electricity producers’ and consumers’ potential exposure to imported fuel costs. However, IENE’s report provides no details on gas plant efficiency, fuel procurement agreements or the hourly marginal generation units. It therefore does not establish a direct relationship between gas price movements and electricity price formation.
The figures underline the importance of tracking fuel costs alongside electricity market exposure, particularly where gas-fired plants provide flexibility to balance fluctuations in renewable generation and electricity demand. Coordinated fuel procurement strategies and effective electricity portfolio hedging remain increasingly important for generators, suppliers and industrial consumers as regional market volatility intensifies.