At a parliamentary committee hearing on Monday, Kapitány István stressed that Hungary’s energy sector will increasingly be shaped not only by energy prices, supply security or the green transition, but also by data, algorithms and artificial intelligence. He repeatedly emphasised that digitalisation, innovation and a startup mindset will play key roles in Hungary’s energy and economic future.
The minister said a national innovation strategy is being prepared in cooperation with the relevant ministries, with an elevated role for artificial intelligence. According to Kapitány, Hungary is lagging behind in this field, so AI and the digital transition will become a priority in economic development — including in the energy sector.
He also highlighted the need for a multi-legged energy system, in which energy storage and network development are crucial to making the power system more reliable and flexible.
Why the conference matters
The Portfolio AI in Energy conference, scheduled for May 27, 2026, addresses how the energy sector is becoming increasingly data- and software-driven. Organisers argue that competitive advantage today belongs to those who can operate faster, more accurately and more intelligently.
The conference programme is split into three main blocks:
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The first block focuses on energy data assets and the foundations of AI strategies. Topics include the role of production, consumption, network and market data; measurement architectures; predictive analytics; and the cybersecurity and system-integration challenges of modern energy systems. Presenters in this session include Simon Dezső and Aszódi Attila, who will speak about AI-based possibilities for electricity price forecasting.
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The second block moves into practical applications: how AI-based systems are integrated into day-to-day energy management, optimisation of hybrid energy systems, AI-based scheduling, and the increasing IT nature of energy management. The programme features a presentation by Dolányi Mihály, who will argue that AI today is not merely a tool but the trader itself.
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The afternoon block focuses on business and strategy: how data-driven operations translate into real value creation; financing energy digitalisation; AI-based portfolio optimisation; virtual power plants; flexibility markets; and the strategic role of data assets. Veszprémi Balázs is among the scheduled speakers.
What this means for Hungary
Kapitány’s vision positions energy storage, grid development, flexibility, automation and AI-based optimisation as components of a single, integrated system. Implementing this vision will require targeted economic development measures and regulatory support, he said.
He framed digitalisation as more than a technological issue: because of its economic implications, it demands strategic decisions, and strengthening the role of artificial intelligence will be central to the forthcoming national innovation strategy.
Next steps
The cross-ministerial national innovation strategy under preparation and the late-May professional conference both aim to accelerate and guide the digital transformation of the energy sector. For policymakers and industry participants, the crucial question remains how quickly and with what quality they can adapt to these changes.
