Parbeszed submits draft resolution aimed at boosting energy security

Detailing the proposal at an online press conference, Parbeszed co-leader Rebeka Szabo said the resolution calls on the government to withdraw its decree easing restrictions on tree-felling for firewood.

Bence Tordai, the other co-leader, told the same press conference that Parbeszed is calling on the government to base its improvement of Hungary’s energy security on renewables rather than “20th century technology”.

The resolution also calls for lifting the ban on the construction of wind farms in Hungary, Tordai said. Parbeszed also wants the government to scrap the tax on solar panel and geothermal systems, and lower associated VAT, he added.

Further, the government should earmark at least 200 billion forints (EUR 508.8m) a year for building upgrades which increase energy efficiency, and install heat-pump boilers in schools, he said.

Meanwhile, Tordai insisted that while Russia had reportedly offered to sell Hungary only a fraction of the extra 700 million cubic metres of gas requested, the government was still “legitimising [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war regime”.