Let's start with the fundamentals: Hungary will need significant additional power plant and battery capacities, and it will need them soon. This necessity persists despite the gross amount of solar power capacity reaching 7.5 GW by the end of 2024, a target initially set for the 2030s. The drive for electrification, the goal to reduce energy imports, the high average age of the existing generator portfolio and the previous focus on solar energy necessitate at least 10 GW of new generation capacities, with a preference for baseload generation and/or storage solutions. The state-owned incumbent MVM is already developing 3x500 MW new combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) installations and 2x1000 MW new nuclear blocks, but significant private investment is still required.

The target for renewable energy consumption in Europe is to reach at least 42.5 percent by 2030 for all sectors, under Directive (EU) 2023/2413 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Known as RED III, it encourages the conclusion of power purchase agreements (PPAs) by requiring member states to adopt various measures.

Norton Rose Fulbright has advised PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna on the EUR 3 billion financing of its stake in the 1.5-gigawatt Baltica 2 offshore wind project, located off the Polish coast between Ustka and Choczewo. Clifford Chance advised the lenders.

Serbian Energy Regulatory Agency (AERS) has adopted the Tariff methodology for access to the natural gas transmission systems, which is now harmonized with the Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/460 of 16 March 2017 establishing a network code on harmonised transmission tariff structures for gas (NC TAR).

Clifford Chance has advised Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation as the sole coordinator, sole bookrunner, and mandated lead arranger on a JPY 80 billion samurai loan for Energeticky a Prumyslovy Holding.

CMS Sofia Managing Partner Kostadin Sirleshtov and Counsel Borislava Piperkova talk about energy in Bulgaria in 2025.