President of Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association Receives Award
The Minister of Energy Csaba Lantos has awarded the Commander’s Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit with a star to the president of the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association István Lepsényi. He is a Széchenyi Prize-winning economic engineer, and mechanical engineer.
Difficulties have not become smaller
The state ceremony was organised during the August 15, 2024 national holiday. In his speech before the presentation of the awards, the minister said: “In the field of energy matters, the best solutions must be found for Hungary to ensure safe, sustainable and affordable supply.”
In his celebratory speech, Lantos emphasised that the difficulties have not become smaller and the struggles have not become easier. “The reorganisation of the centres of gravity of the world economy is taking place at an ever faster pace. Global competition has entered a critical phase. Europe will fall behind if it does not do everything to increase competitiveness,” he explained.
The Ministry of Energy is on the front line. Its work directly impacts how the country overcomes the current difficulties. The minister also mentioned a chance to transform the world economy partly.
Minister of Energy points out Hungary’s priority
Hungary needs to find the best solutions for a safe, sustainable, and affordable energy supply. “Guaranteeing the country’s energy security and strengthening energy sovereignty remains a priority,” Lantos said.
The minister recalled that the concept aimed at strengthening energy sovereignty is based on two main elements – nuclear and renewable energy. It is necessary to complete the Paks 2 investment and extend the existing units’ operating life by an expected twenty years. He also mentioned producing and storing green energy and clean energy carriers. He emphasised that with the rapid spread of weather-dependent producers, the modernisation of the electricity network must also keep up.
The minister explained: “Increased attention must be paid to improving competitiveness and affordable energy prices. That is why Hungary adopted the competitiveness agreement as a central issue of its EU presidency. At the same time, the government still does not budge from its previous principles. The definition of the national energy mix must remain within the jurisdiction of the member states. They will also defend the utility reduction, guaranteeing the lowest electricity and gas prices for European Hungarian families”.
Lantos also called the results achieved in the transition to a circular economy important. He praised the introduction of new waste management with the extended producer responsibility system and the mandatory redemption fee system.
The minister touched on the fact that in the ministry’s work, the issue of climate and environmental protection is associated with energy issues as an equal task. The resources that determine development include water. In addition to the tasks related to water utility services, the management and protection were added to the ministry. Lantos pointed out that it is the most significant step in the water sector in the last twenty years.
At the ceremony, the minister awarded the Commander’s Cross with the Hungarian Order of Merit star to Lepsényi.
The Hungarian Order of Merit was awarded to the electrical engineer Gábor Házi, doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, head of the Reactor Monitoring and Simulator Laboratory of the Atomic Energy Research Institute of the HUN-REN Energy Research Center, and economist Péter Kaderják, head of the Zero Carbon Center of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, the Hungarian Managing Director of the Battery Association.
Economist András Biczók, the former CEO of MAVIR Magyar Electricity Industry Átvitele Rezdenszártószág Zrt., flood protection consultant Illés Bódi, retired head of the Central-Tisza Water Administration, jr., was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit Economist Attila Chikán, President-CEO of Alteo Energiaszolgáltató Nyrt., Economist Ferencz I. Szabolcs, President-CEO of FGSZ Földgázsválló Zrt., Ádám Homonnay, Operations Manager of the Mol Group’s Exploration and Production Business, Csaba Kiss, Production Manager of MVM Zrt. deputy CEO and economist Benjámin Lakatos, CEO of MET Holding AG.
The minister also presented the Hungarian Gold Cross of Merit, the Hungarian Silver Cross of Merit and ministerial recognition certificates.
