Despite plunging temperatures and all-time record lows being recorded on the mercury scale, Hungary's gas reserves are sufficeint to supply the nation during the current cold spell.
András Aradszki, state secretary at the Ministry of National Development, said that taken together, Hungary’s sufficient gas reserves, domestic production and imports will meet the country’s energy needs in the freezing weather.
Aradszki said that unusually low temperatures in the past few days have doubled the natural gas consumption typical for this time of year, bringing it to a daily 87 million cubic metres, including both retail and industrial customers.
Hungary’s strategic gas reserves as well as provisions for extra imports will guarantee the supplies needed even if freezing temperatures persist, he said.
Hungary's winter has so far been one of the coldest in history. According to the National Meteorological Service, the temperature on January 8 fell to an all-time record low of -28.1 C measured in the village of Tésa in northern Hungary.