June 2016 - On 2 June 2016 Kinstellar hosted a successful energy seminar in Budapest to discuss two important changes to the regulatory landscape in Hungary—new rules on public procurement, and the contemplated new regulatory framework for renewable energy (“METÁR”). The event, which took place at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, brought together over 50 clients and guests, including leaders in the energy sector, in-house counsels and energy-sector experts.
The new Hungarian public procurement regulatory framework entered into force at the end of 2015, as proscribed by the relevant EU Directives. Newly proposed draft legislation is expected to introduce a new regulatory framework for renewable energy by the beginning of 2017 and to put in place a new renewable energy incentive scheme in Hungary for renewable energy producers.
The Client Seminar, as officially opened by Kristóf Ferenczi, Partner and firm-wide Head of Kinstellar’s Energy practice, featured a presentation by guest speaker Dániel Gergely Császár, deputy secretary of state responsible for public procurement. His presentation was followed by a session by Kristóf Ferenczi, which focused on changes on the European renewable energy generation market, as well as the context of EU energy law within which the Hungarian government intends to introduce the new renewable energy support scheme from 2017.
Kristóf Ferenczi’s presentation was followed by a session led by Balázs Sepsey, Managing Associate of Kinstellar and member of Kinstellar’s Energy practice, who spoke about the new rules and details of the contemplated METÁR renewable energy support scheme, the main challenges it faces in terms of its approval by the European Commission, and the next steps required for the METÁR scheme to be put into operation. The presentations were followed by a lively debate with the seminar’s participants.
“Investors from both within Hungary and abroad are eagerly waiting for new possibilities to invest in renewable energy generation opportunities in the Central and Southern European region. The contemplated adoption of the new METÁR scheme in Hungary promises, subject to its final details and its approval by the European Commission, an opportunity for investors to enter the Hungarian renewable energy generation market. We will continue assisting the interested market players in understanding the new support scheme and in pursing renewable energy market opportunities in our region.” highlighted Kristóf Ferenczi, the host of the event.
To find out more about our seminars, sing up to our regular newsletters covering a wide variety of legal topics based on your preferences contact Adela Ene at .