In response to the energy crisis caused by the extreme and prolonged drought and the exceptional heatwave, the Government imposed restrictions on rail freight services between 3 and 8 August 2026. The measure applied to electrically hauled freight trains operating on the MÁV network, which had to be temporarily stopped each day during the most critical time window, between 5 pm and 10 pm to reduce electricity consumption. Approximately 30–40 trains were affected by the restriction per day.
On the first day of the restriction, we deferred 21 MWh of electricity consumption between 5 pm and 10 pm to a later period, thereby adapting to the critical situation. Our colleagues working in train control, at border crossings and at stations spared no effort to ensure that our trains reached their destinations before the restriction window began, or, during the restriction period, remained ready for departure until they could resume service. The transportation of consignments essential for maintaining the country's critical infrastructure and energy supply and indispensable from the perspective of the national economy – including power plants, refineries, chemical plants and airports – continued uninterrupted during this period and was given priority.
It should be pointed out, however, that for us, energy efficiency is not an ad hoc measure, but an integral part of our day-to-day operations. Through regenerative braking, our modern locomotive fleet feeds more than 11% of the electricity it consumes back into the grid. On an annual basis, this represents savings equivalent to the average annual energy consumption of approximately 4,000 households. On the first day of the restriction, our locomotives fed nearly 16 MWh of energy back into the overhead catenary system.
Alongside technological development, the human factor also plays a key role. By applying the principles of Ecodriving, our locomotive drivers also contribute to energy-efficient and sustainable freight transport.