Hungary’s gas-fired electricity generation rose 69.52% in the week ended November 1, as electricity demand strengthened and wind and solar output fell. The changes increased reliance on dispatchable plants, according to the Institute of Energy for South-East Europe (IENE). 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 increased by 46.45%, while variable renewable output fell by 11.6%. Electricity consumption rose by approximately 5.7%. Weekly net electricity imports were broadly unchanged at 268.85 GWh, suggesting that increased domestic thermal generation absorbed much of the additional supply requirement.
Day-ahead prices and gas market exposure
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 rise in gas-fired generation coincided with higher Dutch TTF natural gas prices during the same week, highlighting the potential exposure of electricity producers and consumers to imported fuel costs. IENE’s report does not detail gas plant efficiency, fuel procurement agreements or the hourly marginal generation units. As a result, it is not possible to establish a direct relationship between gas price movements and electricity price formation.
The figures underline the importance of monitoring fuel costs alongside electricity market exposure. This is particularly relevant in markets where gas-fired plants provide essential flexibility to balance fluctuations in renewable generation and electricity demand. For generators, suppliers and industrial consumers, coordinated fuel procurement strategies and effective electricity portfolio hedging remain increasingly important as regional market volatility intensifies.