Hungary’s energy ministry has reported that since last April, the country has reduced its gas consumption by 20 per cent, similarly to the previous one-year period, as against the European requirement of 15 per cent.
Between 2017 and 2022, Hungary used an annual 10 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas on average, which has now been reduced to nearly 8 bcm, the ministry said. The ministry’s statement added that other EU members reduced their consumption by an average of 17.7 per cent.
The Ministry also noted that the EU directive introduced in August 2022 in response to an international energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, will be maintained as a recommendation for members.
“Hungary’s consistent position is that defining a member’s energy mix should stay a national competency; Hungary will not support any proposals running against that position,” the ministry added in its statement.