Building the Grid of the Future: Why Every Stakeholder Has a Role

As Europe accelerates toward a greener, more digital and increasingly electrified energy future, one challenge stands at the center of strategic debate: developing the networks needed for this transformation. According to Guntram Würzberg, Chairman and CEO of E.ON Hungária Group, building modern, flexible grids is a responsibility shared not only by energy companies, but also by policymakers, regulators and – through smarter choices – even consumers themselves.

“Energy transition will only succeed if we can afford it. No single market player can manage this alone – not the suppliers, not the regulators, not the politicians. We all have a duty,” Würzberg emphasizes.
In an interview with Diplomacy & Trade, Würzberg outlines how E.ON – Europe’s largest energy network operator – sees its role in Hungary’s rapidly evolving energy landscape and what must be done to keep prices predictable in an era marked by volatility and geopolitical shocks.

A ‘playmaker’ in Europe’s energy transition
With around 47 million customers across the continent, E.ON is increasingly positioning itself as the backbone of Europe’s green transformation. Hungary is no exception.
“Renewables and clean energy are the foundation to the future energy system and someone needs to connect them. That is our job. We are the playmaker of the European energy transition because we operate networks that tie everything together,” Würzberg says.
In Hungary alone, E.ON operates an 88,000-kilometer electricity network and has invested HUF 540 billion in modernizing it over the past four years, far exceeding initial plans. The goal: to build a modern, flexible network that can support household solar systems, electric vehicles and industrial consumers.
As renewable capacity surges – especially solar, where Hungary has demonstrated fast growth – smart digital tools are becoming indispensable.
One of the most transformative is the smart meter. E.ON has already installed over 500,000 of them in Hungary, with plans to reach 800,000 by 2030.
“Smart meters put customers in control. They can be more flexible in their consumption, thus propelling digitization on the customer side forward and supporting the transition to a flexible, digital grid,” Würzberg explains.
On the grid side, digital substations and automated load management allow the company to locate outages and failures remotely and manage increasing fluctuations in the system. E.ON is also piloting new battery-based storage solutions – still small compared to power plants but essential to future grid stability.

Ukraine war: a wake-up call on energy security
While E.ON’s long-term strategy predates the Ukraine war and is still solid, the conflict reshaped Europe’s priorities overnight.
“Before the war, the focus was almost exclusively on price. After the war began, Europe realized security of supply cannot be taken for granted,” he says.
Wholesale energy prices spiked to three- or four-times pre-war levels, affecting the entire sector. Governments faced the challenge of shielding consumers from extreme volatility.
Although prices have returned close to pre-war levels, Würzberg says one lesson is clear: Europe must diversify its energy sources. Hungary, too, is expected to expand wind power as part of its 2030 national strategy, complementing its booming solar sector.
For Würzberg, affordability is the product of four interlocking responsibilities. Suppliers must provide solutions that reduce dependence on the grid such as time-of-use tariffs or heat pumps. These can lower bills and reduce exposure to market swings. Decision makers must ensure smart, targeted regulation. “Regulation must reward the right investments. If grid operators are pushed to build capacity where it’s not needed, customers ultimately pay the price,” he notes.
Grid operators must continue developing the energy networks, and E.ON is ready to take its share, committing EUR 43 billion in investments across Europe between 2024 and 2028, of which EUR 35 billion is dedicated to the grids. Finally, customers also have a role to play: choosing renewable energy products or flexible tariffs helps support the transition while easing strain on the system.
“Building the energy system of the future will require smart decisions from every stakeholder. The success of the transition is, in the end, our shared responsibility,” he says.

E.ON Hungária: Providing Energy for 25 years in Hungary
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, E.ON is one of Hungary’s largest energy companies, serving around four million customers. The company operates the electricity networks of Budapest, Pest County and the entire Transdanubian region, and is also responsible for gas grid operation in six counties in the South-West.
Beyond its extensive energy infrastructure, E.ON offers a broad portfolio of innovative solutions – including household and industrial PV systems, e-mobility and charging services, smart energy management tools, and modern retail products for businesses, municipalities and communities nationwide.
With long-term investments and a strong commitment to digitalization, safety and reliability, E.ON plays a key role in driving Hungary’s green energy transition.