The Hungarian Energy and Public Utility Regulatory Authority (MEKH) has launched a tender to allocate 702 megavolt-amperes (MVA) of available injection capacity on the country’s medium- and high-voltage grids for the development and expansion of wind power projects.

Published on August 30, the tender will allow developers to apply for capacity at nine grid nodes across six districts. The process represents a further step in the revival of wind development in Hungary following years of tight restrictions that largely stalled the deployment of new wind farms.

Before launching the tender, MEKH conducted a nationwide market survey to identify the expected grid connection needs of planned wind developments and assess the level of preparedness of potential investments. The regulator also submitted the draft tender conditions for industry consultation, allowing professional organisations, potential investors and other stakeholders to provide feedback.

According to MEKH President Edit Juhász, the preparatory process included a detailed grid analysis and industry consultation aimed at ensuring that the capacity allocation procedure was transparent and technically sound.

Applications open from September 4

MEKH will begin accepting applications on September 4, 2026, through Hungary’s Magyarorszag.hu electronic administration platform. The application period will remain open until October 30.

Once the submission period closes, MEKH will carry out the technical evaluation of the applications and publish the results no later than December 13, 2026.

The tender also establishes a timetable for connecting successful projects to the grid. The earliest possible connection date is September 30, 2030, while no connection date later than September 30, 2032 may be specified.

The actual connection date for each project will depend on the relevant grid node and must be established in the connection plan and subsequent grid connection agreement.

Hungary reopens the door to wind power

The tender follows a prolonged period of restrictions on wind development in Hungary. Rules introduced in 2016 severely constrained the construction of new wind farms, leaving the country’s installed wind capacity largely stagnant for years.

Hungary began changing this framework in 2024, when regulatory amendments aimed at easing conditions for new wind developments came into force.

The 2026 tender now extends that reopening to access to electricity infrastructure by making available medium- and high-voltage grid capacity for new and expanded wind projects.

The tender is based on Regulation 11/2025, which establishes the procedure for allocating available capacity on medium- and high-voltage grids through competitive tenders, as well as a regulatory amendment adopted on August 28, 2026, as part of energy-related changes linked to Hungary’s access to European Union funding.