| Abstract |
Natural gas has a crucial importance in Hungary’s energy balance. Therefore, the security of natural gas supply and the fluctuation of natural gas prices make a decisive influence on heating energy supply. The European Union encourages supporting the development of renewable energy sources. Such a support, called Environment and Energy Operative Programme, has existed in Hungary for five years now. Due to the current rules, for instance, local authorities may even get 60-70% of their investment costs back. The geothermal sector has utilised the support with a good efficiency so far. Three new small town district heating systems were already commissioned in Veresegyház, Kistelek and Bóly. Currently, the execution of a geothermal district heating project is under way in two sites, and two others are in a planning phase, i.e. the grants have already been awarded. Altogether more than ten new project proposals are in the field of vision or to elaborate, or to submit for support, or to evaluate. The investment boom in geothermal utilisation has provided valuable experience. Probably, the most important of those is to keep the investment costs low. This is in line with the aim set by EGEC in the European development strategy of geothermal energy for the period up to 2020. Unfortunately, acceleration of the geothermal investments has not been followed by modernisation of the legal framework. A joint communiqué issued by geothermal actors last year has yet remained unresponded by the ministries and senior authorities. The Hungarian Geothermal Association, which was successful in having certain statutory provisions amended three years ago, continues its successful activity when organising workshops and have been publishing for the fifth year now the quarterly newsletter. |