EU funds back sustainable energy development in Slovenia

The Ministry of Infrastructure in Ljubljana placed invitations for projects of energy rehabilitation of buildings in the public sector and for co-financing of wind power endeavours and small hydropower plants. The total amount of financial support for sustainable energy development will reach EUR 25.7 million.

Slovenia will select contractors and beneficiaries of the European Cohesion Fund’s programme for the seven years through 2020. Institutions founded by the state and their responsible ministries, as well as legal entities in a narrow sense and municipalities, can apply with propositions for efficiency improvements projects that are in line with government rules and guidelines related to sustainable use and production of energy, smart grids, supporting to shift towards a low-carbon economy in all sectors, promoting the production and distribution of energy derived from renewable sources, promotion of energy efficiency. The funds also cover smart control installations in energy management.

Public sector

Intermediary public sector entities in the narrow sense will file applications under deadlines of April 21, June 19, August 21, October 23 and December 18 for works lasting until the end of September of 2019, which will be covered with EUR 7.65 million, where Slovenia participates with EUR 1.15 million. For the activities in the wider public sphere in the same period and with the same closing dates, an overall EUR 14.12 million of grants will be allocated. The government will invest EUR 2.12 million.

The item for cofinancing two fifths of expenses in selected works in municipalities is worth EUR 17.65 million, where the European Union covers EUR 15 million. The funds must be allocated by mid-October, and they are intended for the rehabilitation of buildings this year and next. Applications will be received by April 18, May 15, September 18 and October 16.

Renewables

The call for co-funding facilities for the generation of power from wind and small hydropower plants (SHPPs) notes EUR 4 million will be granted, half for each sector, for use before the end of 2020. The biggest possible part to cover in a renewable energy project will be 20%, including 3% in construction oversight. Eligible units have capacity between 50 kW and 10 MW. The funds must be used by January 26 next year.

Eligible costs for co-financing are: the costs of external suppliers and contractors associated with the construction of the power plant, purchase of equipment, which is directly related to the production of electricity from wind and hydropower, costs of services of professional supervision of construction in the amount of 3% of the eligible costs of the operation.