Hungarian state-owned utility MVM has started foundation work on a new 1,000 MW combined-cycle gas-fired power plant at the former Tisza II site in Tiszaujvaros. The project is part of Hungary’s broader shift in generation needs as variable renewables expand. The plant is designed to provide dispatchable output and balancing capacity.
The facility will comprise two units of approximately 499 MW each. This configuration is intended to support system operation as electricity supply becomes more variable. Foundation work is currently underway to prepare for major equipment installation.
Delivery partners and construction focus
Calik Enerji Swiss and Ansaldo Energia have been selected to deliver the project and supply major equipment. Construction activity is presently focused on foundations capable of supporting the plant’s turbines and generators. Work is expected to accelerate from 2027.
Commissioning schedule for both units
Testing and commercial operation of the first unit are planned for the third quarter of 2029. The second unit is scheduled to enter testing and commercial operation in the first quarter of 2030. The staggered timeline aligns commissioning with the two-unit structure.
Role alongside solar growth and gas flexibility
The project is described as strategically significant for Hungary due to rapid solar expansion affecting daytime versus evening power balances. As solar generation falls quickly, additional capacity is needed during low-renewable periods. A flexible 1 GW gas plant would provide that balancing support.
Hungary’s extensive gas-storage infrastructure is also cited as a domestic flexibility advantage for the plant. Long-term economics are expected to remain linked to gas, carbon, and electricity-price spreads. The project’s value proposition therefore depends on how those market drivers evolve over time.
