Hungary’s accelerated push into energy storage, driven by the Jedlik Ányos program, is reshaping the energy market for 2026 in Hungary
With a 50 billion HUF budget (25 billion for SMEs), the subsidies accelerate end-to-end battery storage deployments tied to renewable use, grid resilience, and energy independence. The result: a tight, high-demand labor market where specialized sales leadership matters as much as engineering.
What this means for your HR and talent strategy
- A surge in demand for project leadership:
Experienced project managers who can execute the battery storage investments in probably they will come from solar to storage
- Deep technical expertise will be prized: Energy storing technologies
- The rise of energy portfolio management: After CAPEX, professionals who can operate, optimise storage energy portfolio with PV portfolio will become essential.
- Data and analytics will be a differentiator: Data engineers and analysts (Python, SQL)
- Regulatory and grant navigation as a core capability: Specialists who can map funding rules, measurement, verification, and reporting will accelerate project approvals and audits.
More details about the Jedlik Ányos Energy program;
The latest energy storage tender of the Jedlik Ányos Energy Program has been published, which specifically supports energy storage investments by domestic companies.
The aim of the tender is to enable businesses to use renewable energy more efficiently, reduce the load on the grid, and increase their energy independence. The tender has a huge budget of HUF 50 billion, of which HUF 25 billion has been earmarked specifically for SMEs.
Renewable energy production is growing dynamically in Hungary, which makes it increasingly necessary to expand energy storage capacities that ensure flexibility. The aim of the call is to support developments that increase energy efficiency at the corporate level, reduce network load, and enable the optimized use of the energy produced. The Jedlik energy storage call for proposals focuses specifically on the installation of energy storage systems that support own consumption, not on capacity expansion for power plants.
Who can apply?
The energy storage tender is open to any company that has its registered office in Hungary or operates as an EEA company with a Hungarian branch and tax number. Micro, small, medium, and large companies can apply, provided they have at least one closed financial year. Each applicant may submit only one application with a single implementation location.
However, companies that are not financially or legally sound – for example, those undergoing bankruptcy, liquidation or winding-up proceedings, those with public debts, or those that have been sanctioned for unfair market practices – are not eligible to apply. Agricultural, fishing, aquaculture, and certain food industry activities, as well as fossil fuel companies, are also excluded. The conditions are designed to ensure that only stable, law-abiding companies can participate in the program.
However, there are no further restrictions in terms of regional distribution, and the call for proposals is open to all companies nationwide!
What can you apply for funding for?
The only activity eligible for funding under the call for proposals is the purchase of energy storage units or facilities, whether for electrical or thermal energy storage. The backbone of the project is the energy storage development itself, and all other costs may be related to this. Among other things, project preparation, obtaining permits, project management, construction work, engineering services, and the necessary hardware and software are eligible for support.
However, the independent installation of a solar panel system for personal use is not eligible for support. A new photovoltaic system is only eligible if it directly serves the operation of the energy storage facility and is not an independent investment. Furthermore, this installation or capacity expansion can only be counted towards a maximum of 33% of the total eligible costs in the application.
The energy storage application excludes developments that are not directly related to energy storage solutions, such as energy production for power plants or investments involving disconnection from district heating systems. Developments for residential purposes and investments in non-renewable energy sources are also excluded.
Support frameworks, amounts, and intensity:
The Jedlik Program tender starts with a budget of HUF 50 billion, of which HUF 25 billion is earmarked for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. These proportions may still change based on the number of applications received and the total value of support requests.
The amount of non-repayable support per project can be a minimum of HUF 10 million and a maximum of HUF 1 billion. The intensity of support depends on the size of the company:
up to 50% for micro and small enterprises,
40% for medium-sized enterprises,
30% for large enterprises.
The remaining portion must be provided by the applicant in all cases, but this scheme makes it significantly easier for businesses to finance energy storage investments.
Technical conditions:
Applicants must meet several technical requirements. The development undertaken must result in verifiable fossil energy savings, which must be measured or calculated using appropriate methods. In addition, at least 75% of the energy fed into the energy storage facility must come from renewable sources on an annual basis, and the storage capacity must reach at least 20% of the associated renewable production capacity.
Failure to meet the 75% renewable share may result in the repayment of the entire grant, so the development requires precise planning.
Incidentally, professional support, technical compliance, and the accuracy of energy calculations carry significant weight in the scoring of applications.
Application deadlines and implementation:
Applications can be submitted electronically from 10:00 a.m. on January 12, 2026, until the funds available to the Sponsor are exhausted, but no later than 4:00 p.m. on February 15, 2026.