The Hungarian delegation visits Iceland, a world leader in geothermal innovation

Attila Steiner, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Policy and Bence Gonda, Deputy Head of Strategy in Supervisory Body for Regulated Activities, held a meeting with the Icelandic Minister of the Environment, Energy and Climate, Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson, on the possibility of using geothermal energy in Reykjavík. The island nation is a remarkable example in that it meets all of its electricity and heat needs for households and industry with renewable resources and green energy.

The Icelandic Geothermal Conference, held for the fifth time in Reykjavik, was an excellent opportunity for participants to learn about the technologies used by the world’s leading country in the use of geothermal energy. Iceland’s best practices show that geothermal heat is not only a stable energy source, but also green energy that has a positive impact on the quality of life, the report says. Magyar Nemzet.

The Hungarian delegation held talks with Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson, who consented

Geothermal energy is of great importance today as a safe, sustainable, profitable and renewable alternative in the energy mix.

They also discussed the upcoming National Geothermal Strategy, thanks to which Hungary will be among the first to respond to the European Parliament’s January resolution calling for accelerating investments in the sector, thus strengthening its position in the international geothermal sector. Secretary of State Attila Steiner spoke at the Arctic Green Partnership Forum held concurrently and indicated that the Hungarian EU Presidency, which will start in July, intends to focus on geothermal energy as a priority issue. Even more so

Hungary has long been among the top five countries in Europe in terms of the use of geothermal energy. However, there is still a lot of untapped potential in this rapidly growing sector around the world.

The delegation noted that the measures set out in the national geothermal strategy currently being prepared could make geothermal energy a key sector of the Hungarian green economy. The current national energy consumption of 6.4 petajoules could double by the beginning of the next decade. The future lies in green energy, better use of its beneficial potential will strengthen energy sovereignty, contribute to increasing emission-free energy production and maintaining affordable energy prices.

During the program, the delegation had the opportunity to learn about Icelandic good practices and innovative solutions, discovering the country’s famous Krafla power plant, where the world’s hottest geothermal well was drilled. The delegation gained insight into the complex uses of geothermal energy in Iceland, from extensive district heating systems to greenhouse vegetable production.

Bence Gonda emphasized that although geothermal energy has been used in Hungary for decades,

the new regulatory environment and the National Geothermal Strategy aim to make the most effective use of favorable conditions.

In the fall of 2022, the National Assembly adopted a new legal framework for the exploration, extraction and use of geothermal energy. This supports Hungary’s energy sovereignty in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way through the increased use of geothermal energy. As evidence of the success of the new regulation, Supervisory Body for Regulated Activities Nearly 100 valid applications for exploration permits in 2023 were received. Thanks to the investments that have been initiated, the annual exchange of natural gas could reach 1-1.2 billion m3 by 2035.

The acquisition and use of geothermal heat for energy purposes should therefore be a priority in the country’s energy planning,

with due diligence and the right investments, reliable and affordable energy can be provided to Hungarian families and businesses.

By Magyar Nemzet; Featured image via Facebook/Steiner Attila