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FM: Hungary has successfully aligned boosting economic growth with environmental considerations

Hungary's responsible economic development strategy must be based on sustainably produced, cheap energy; in Hungary, that can be ensured mainly through solar and nuclear energy, the foreign minister said.

Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said Hungary has successfully aligned its measures boosting economic growth with environmental considerations, as shown by the fact that it could increase its economic performance while cutting emissions, the minister of foreign affairs and trade said on Wednesday.

Speaking before parliament's sustainable development committee, Minister Szijjártó warned of the dangers of climate change and said that the matter was often approached from one of two "extreme" viewpoints: "the ideological green approach or climate denial".

"We reject both extreme approaches," Minister Szijjártó said.

Hungary's responsible economic development strategy must be based on sustainably produced, cheap energy; in Hungary, that can be ensured mainly through solar and nuclear energy, he said.

Regarding the upgrade of the nuclear power plant in Paks, he welcomed that "real construction work" has started, in compliance "with the strictest security and professional requirements." Soil is being removed at the site, and the diaphragm walls have been completed, he said.

Of the two pieces of equipment with extremely long production times, the melt trap has already been delivered to Paks, and the manufacturing of the reactor container started in April, he said.

The first pouring of concrete is expected in January or February, he said.

Meanwhile, "some 65.5 percent of Hungary's electricity production is today carbon neutral, and 70 percent of that comes from nuclear energy. The four blocks of the Paks plant have a 2,000 MW capacity in total, and 90-91 percent of that was used last year," he said.

Hungary's domestic carbon dioxide emissions have fallen by 53 percent since 2010, Minister Szijjártó said. The country reached a 6,000 MW capacity in solar power by the end of 2023, which was originally targeted for 2030, so the 12,000 MW target for 2040 was brought forward to 2030, the minister said.

Emissions have also fallen by 37 percent compared with 1990, and by 10 percent compared with 2010, he said.

"Long-term, we are comfortably above EU average in cutting emissions," Szijjarto said, noting that global emissions have grown by 62 percent since 1990.

Minister Szijjártó said Hungary's natural gas reserves are at 91.2 percent of full capacity, equivalent of 58.8 percent of annual demand, while average reserves in the EU are at 29 percent.