Energy citizenship at a turning point? The power of prosumers in Hungary

Energy citizens have a key role to play in the participatory energy transition. As decentralized, household-scale renewable energy production systems spread, the number of prosumers is growing and may reach a critical mass capable of pressuring decision-makers and shaping energy policy. In our study, we present an illustrative, empirical, and single case study of a unique energy citizenship action in Hungary in 2023. The subject of the analysis is a policy decision intended to change the compensation mechanism for households with solar PV systems, which was later revised as a result of widespread outrage. In presenting this energy citizenship phenomenon, we describe how we conducted discourse analysis, complemented by semi-structured in-depth interviews, identifying five discourse coalitions and six actors. We conclude that this empirical case can be interpreted as an important milestone regarding how it strengthened and expanded energy citizenship in Hungary. However, it also appears to be a rather unique action with limited generalizability. Low institutional and interpersonal trust continues to hinder the emergence of energy citizenship. Our investigation also confirms that solar PV technology empowers prosumers and facilitates energy citizenship, regardless of the political system.