A major milestone in Hungary’s clean energy transition was marked with the official handover of a NAS™ battery energy storage system at the MVM Balance thermal power station in Litér, Veszprém County. The installation, delivered by NGK INSULATORS, LTD. in partnership with Hungarian engineering firm Duna Center Therm Uzemi Szolgaltato Kft., supports MVM Group’s demonstration project aimed at grid stabilization and renewable energy integration.
The project involves a 750 kW (DC) / 4,350 kWh (DC) NAS battery system consisting of three containerized units. These batteries have been installed at the power station operated by MVM Balance Zrt., a subsidiary of the Hungarian state-owned MVM Group. The system is designed to store surplus electricity and discharge it during shortages, supporting Hungary’s broader goals for energy reliability and carbon neutrality.
A handover ceremony was held on 10 June at the Litér site, attended by key government and industry representatives. Among the attendees were Hungary’s State Secretary for Energy, Mr. Attila Steiner; MVM Group CEO, Mr. Károly Mátrai; MVM Balance Zrt. CEO, Mr. Sándor Csorba; and Hiroyuki Shinohara, Senior Vice President of NGK INSULATORS.
In his remarks, Mr. Steiner emphasized the national importance of storage technologies:
“The Ministry of Energy aims to secure 1 gigawatt of electric energy storage capacity by 2030. This demonstration project takes us closer to that goal while contributing to energy autonomy, sustainability, and technological reform. Stable energy supplies are essential for building resilient communities.”
NGK’s Hiroyuki Shinohara underscored the value of NAS battery technology:
“NAS batteries are capable of long-duration discharge and are made from abundant elements like sodium and sulfur, making them both environmentally friendly and geopolitically resilient. This project highlights their role in addressing Hungary’s energy challenges.”
Hungary has set ambitious climate targets, aiming for 90% of its electricity to come from low-carbon sources by 2030 and full carbon neutrality by 2050. With solar energy now contributing over 25% of domestic electricity supply—roughly 8 GW in installed capacity—energy storage has become a priority. Due to Hungary’s flat terrain, traditional pumped-storage hydro is impractical, making high-capacity battery systems like NAS a viable alternative for grid flexibility.
The demonstration will evaluate the technical standards for future storage deployments and explore participation in Hungary’s ancillary service market, where energy supply and demand are balanced in real-time.
NAS batteries are already in operation at over 300 sites globally, with a proven track record spanning more than 20 years. NGK stated that it remains committed to expanding NAS battery adoption to support renewable energy growth and global decarbonization efforts.
