Hungarian state-owned energy group MVM has completed the expansion of its Ajka gas-fired power plant with a large-scale battery energy storage system, further strengthening its strategy of combining conventional generation with flexible storage technologies.
The newly inaugurated facility required an investment of approximately €29 million, including €10.7 million in European Union funding. The battery system provides 57 MWh of storage capacity and officially entered operation earlier this week.
MVM CEO Károly Mátrai said the project is part of the company’s broader transition toward hybrid power plants. He noted that a similar battery storage system was recently commissioned at the group’s Tiszaújváros site, while the Ajka installation integrates storage with the existing two-unit gas turbine plant to enhance operational flexibility.
According to Mátrai, the increasing frequency of heatwaves underscores the importance of combining battery storage with fast-start gas-fired generation. During periods of high electricity prices or elevated demand, stored energy can be dispatched instantly, while gas turbines can quickly provide additional output when required.
Deputy CEO for Production Csaba Kiss said the Ajka facility supports MVM’s long-term goal of building a more flexible and sustainable electricity system. He also highlighted the company’s recently completed hybrid project in Sopronkövesd, where battery storage has been integrated with a wind power plant.
