HUNGARY

Hungary has no coal plants under construction or in planning stages. Hungary is a small coal producer and consumer. In March 2021, Hungary committed to shut down its last coal power plant in 2025, which it pledged to as a member of the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA). The country has operating coal units at the Matra and Bakony power stations, and mothballed units at the Oroszlány power station. The 884 megawatt (MW) Matra coal plant was previously expected to be closed by 2025, although following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, this date was less certain. In late 2023, the Hungarian government was in the process of extending Matra's environmental permit until the end of 2029. Lignite from the Bukkabrany and the Visonta Mines was reportedly used in the Matra Power Station. Hungary depends on nuclear and gas for most of its electricity needs. However, in 2021, the government said it plans to increase solar capacity to 6,000 MW and use European Union funds to retrain workers affected by the closure of the Matra plant. Both a 200 MW solar farm and 500 MW gas plant were planned to be built on the Matra site.