Hungary urges citizens to cut power use during scorching heatwave

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has called on residents to reduce their electricity consumption between 5pm and 10pm as the country braces for an intense heatwave. The appeal, made on Thursday, specifically targets major energy consumers alongside the general public to help manage demand during the peak summer heat.

The move reflects growing concerns across Europe about energy supply pressures during periods of extreme weather. As temperatures soar, air conditioning and cooling systems place unprecedented strain on national power grids. Hungary’s announcement comes as other Central European nations face similar challenges during the summer months.

Orbán’s request represents a voluntary conservation measure rather than mandatory power cuts, seeking to avert potential shortages through collective action. By reducing consumption during the critical evening hours when both residential and commercial energy use peaks, authorities hope to stabilise the electricity network and prevent infrastructure strain.

The heatwave poses dual challenges for Hungarian energy security: increased demand for cooling coincides with potential constraints on power generation during extreme weather conditions. The government’s approach emphasises public participation in managing the crisis, with particular emphasis on industrial and large-scale energy users to demonstrate commitment to the conservation effort.

Source: Walla News — Original article in Hebrew.