At the parliamentary evening of the German Federal Association for Bioenergy (Bundesverband BioEnergie – BBE) held on 15 May 2013 in Berlin, discussions were held on the importance of bioenergy and opportunities for the sector.
At the event held at the Hungarian embassy, Imre Attila Horváth, Deputy Minister of State for green economy development, climate policy and key public services, held a presentation entitled “Opportunities and prospects in bioenergy in Hungary” upon the request of the German Bioenergy Association.
“Hungary has excellent agro-ecological and geothermal properties, therefore it is logical that bioenergy production and consumption offers a breakthrough for eliminating energy dependence” emphasised the deputy minister of state of the ministry of development. The government is making continuous efforts to draw up and launch funding schemes in harmony with energy policies and climate protection targets that support the improvement of energy savings and energy efficiency. Imre Attila Horváth noted that among the 27 Member States of the European Union, Hungary is among countries that reached their 2009-2010 targets relating to renewable energy. He observed that in light of market trends based on technological changes and partial results achieved in Hungary and in the EU, the implementation paths and energy mix of the 14.65 per cent renewable ratio target by 2020 is currently under review. Among the technologies, the recovery of biomass and geothermal energy – primarily serving heating purposes – is expected to be assigned continued priority. With regard to the incentive measures, he noted that investment and operating aids support electricity production from renewable energy in Hungary by mutually reinforcing their effects. In relation to German-Hungarian energy relations, the deputy minister of state expressed the view that many forms of close cooperation have developed in the sector, and German companies are pleased with the bioenergy sector in Hungary. “In the future, the emphasis should not only be placed on maintaining technology and capital transfers and on increasing their volume, but also on the stronger encouragement of cooperation between research establishments, universities and research institutions” he said, closing his presentation.
At the traditional parliamentary evening held each year at a nation’s embassy, Dr József Czukor, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Hungary in Germany, welcomed nearly 200 guests from the field of business, politics and science. In their comments, representatives of the German parties and factions put forth their views on the importance of bioenergy in energy policy and on current legislative affairs. Helmut Lamp, president of the German Bioenergy Association, elaborated on expectations in the sector.
(Ministry of National Development)
