Under the scheme, the government is compensating SMEs in energy-intensive manufacturing sectors as well as in the commercial accommodations business for up to half of the increase in their energy bills.

Nagy noted that the government decided earlier to broaden eligibility for the scheme by lowering the threshold for energy costs-to-revenue from 3% to 2%.

An energy efficiency investment program is coupled with a scheme. The allocation for both is HUF 100 bln in 2022 and HUF 120 bln in 2023. 

Over 36,000 SMEs are eligible for the programs.