In response to a question posed on Tuesday, Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said the so-called Green Energy Corridor Hungary, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Bulgaria have agreed to establish is a European matter and the infrastructure upgrades related to it will require financial support from the European Union.
Addressing a joint press conference with the energy ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Romania and the deputy energy minister of Bulgaria, Minister Szijjártó said Azerbaijan and Georgia were undertaking huge investments in hydro and wind power, and central Europe had started developing its own infrastructure so that it could handle as much green energy imported from the South Caucasus as possible for consumption and being transported further west. This project, he said, required linking Georgia and Romania with what would be the world’s longest, 1,100km submarine cable. If all goes to plan, energy deliveries along this route can begin by the beginning of the next decade, he added. Amid the crises of recent years, Hungary has maintained its economic growth thanks to record investments, but the start-ups of new plants will also increase energy consumption, Minister Szijjártó said. Hungary aims to continue expanding its economy while reducing its harmful emissions, he said. Meeting this goal requires green energy, he said, adding that in the coming years, electricity would become even more important in Hungary for transport, industry as well and heating and cooling technologies. Electricity consumption in Hungary is set to rise by 50% by 2030, and the country plans to produce this electricity carbon-free, which is why it is expanding its nuclear and solar energy capacities, the minister said. At the same time, Szijjártó said, it was important that the electricity Hungary imports also be carbon neutral, adding that the Green Energy Corridor was key to this.