Catching the wind: Hungary proposes new rules to unlock wind capacity

After a decade of regulatory inaction, Hungary is poised to dramatically reshape its wind energy landscape from the current 330 MW of installed wind-power capacity. 

The government has launched a public consultation on proposed amendments to Decree No. 11/2025 (IV. 10.) of the Minister of Energy on grid capacity allocation tender procedures for available capacities on medium- and high-voltage networks. The proposed amendments are designed to help Hungary meet its wind energy milestones under the revised Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) and signal a clear commitment to shift the electricity mix towards green energy and give priority to the implementation of new wind energy projects. 

The public consultation on the draft regulation is open until 22 July 2026, which is available at  Public consultation on amendments relating to grid capacity | Government of Hungary.

The following article summarises the key changes introduced by the draft legislation.

Mandatory preliminary survey ahead of every tender

Under the proposed rules, a new preliminary survey would become a feature of the grid capacity allocation tender process. Before each tender round, the Hungarian Energy and Public Utility Regulatory Authority (HEPURA) would conduct a public data collection in which prospective investors can indicate (on an informational, non-binding basis) their envisaged grid connection requirements for their planned power plant projects. 

Each preliminary survey launched by HEPURA must specify the timeline and the power plant technologies covered.

This mechanism was tested in HEPURA’s wind-specific survey earlier this summer, and is now embedded in the regulatory framework as a standard preparatory step for future grid capacity allocation tenders. 

At least one wind capacity tender every year

The draft decree mandates that HEPURA must announce at least one grid capacity allocation tender per calendar year specifically for wind turbine or wind farm grid connections. This annual commitment would provide developers with a predictable pipeline of opportunities and a recurring window to secure grid connections, which is a fundamental shift from the sector’s ad hoc approach to date. 

First tender for 700 MW by 31 August 2026

The proposed regulation sets an ambitious near-term target of 31 August 2026 for the announcement of the first grid capacity allocation tender, covering a total nominal capacity of at least 700 MW for wind turbine or wind farm grid feed-in connections. Successful bidders would have a 24-month window for successful grid connection. This timeline is consistent with Hungary's revised RRP. 

4,000 MW wind capacity envisaged by the end of 2030

Looking ahead, the draft regulation provides that between 2027 and 2030, a cumulative total of at least 4,000 MW of nominal wind capacity must be tendered through grid capacity allocation tender procedures, inclusive of the initial 700 MW tranche. This represents a transformative scale-up of Hungary's wind-energy ambitions with a tenfold increase in grid capacity, and offers a multi-year horizon for developers to plan and stage their investments.

What this means for investors

The proposed amendments are the most significant regulatory opening for wind power investors in Hungary in over a decade. The mandatory annual tenders, the formalised preliminary survey process and the specific capacity targets create a structured and predictable framework for developers entering or expanding in the Hungarian market.

Developers are encouraged to participate in the public consultation since these amendments have the potential to fundamentally reshape the conditions for wind-farm development in Hungary.

For more information on Hungary's evolving energy regulatory landscape, contact your CMS client partner or the local CMS experts who contributed to this article.

Hungary’s legal, tax and regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly following the change of government. Stay informed with timely updates and expert analysis from our dedicated hub, Hungary Forward: Hungary Forward | CMS Hungary

The article was co-authored by Eszter Mihók.