Uroš Podobnik, Tomaž Štokelj, Zoran Poznič, Marko Funkl (photo: HSE)
Slovenian state-owned power utility Holding Slovenske Elektrarne (HSE) is about to begin expanding its Prapretno solar power plant. It intends to sell 10% of the electricity from the second phase to the municipalities of Trbovlje and Hrastnik, at a price equal to the production cost. The two local authorities would use it to supply public buildings and lower their power bills.
Hrastnik and Trbovlje, municipalities located in Zasavje, one of the two Slovenian coal regions, hosted the Trbovlje coal power plant and Trbovlje-Hrastnik coal mine. The two facilities have been closed and there is now the Prapretno photovoltaic plant.
HSE inaugurated the 3 MW photovoltaic system in 2022. It built it on a rehabilitated landfill that belonged to the Trbovlje thermal power plant. Another PV plant is at the location of the former Trbovlje-Hrastnik open-cast coal mine.
The company earlier said it would grow the facility to 13 MW, but the second phase envisages the installation of solar panels of 6.8 MW, to reach 9.8 MW in total. A battery storage unit of up to 7 MW will be added to increase flexibility and to operate the plant directly, the announcement reads
The added part is expected to become operational in October 2025, HSE said.
Štokelj: The location in Zasavje region offers a number of opportunities
The company’s management and the mayors of the municipalities of Trbovlje and Hrastnik have signed an agreement on cooperation in renewable energy projects. Under the agreement, HSE commited to sell them 10% of the electricity, at price equal to the production cost.
The agreement is an example of good practice and cooperation between the investor and the local community in the implementation of a renewable energy project, the three signatories said.
HSE CEO Tomaž Štokelj said the its focuses on the potential of renewable energy sources in its development and primarily on solar, hydropower and wind together with green energy solutions for end-users.
“The energy location in Zasavje region offers a number of opportunities to realise our vision of being a leader in Slovenia’s green transition, which is also linked to the national decarbonisation strategy,” he stated.
Podobnik: A great step forward in our joint successful implementation of a number of energy projects
According to HSE’s Chief Operating Officer Uroš Podobnik, the company has demanding, but fair and constructive interlocutors in the local spatial planning process. “I believe that today’s signing of the agreement is a great step forward in our constructive cooperation and joint successful implementation of a number of energy projects in Zasavje region,” he added.
The most important projects, in his words, are for hydropower plants on the Sava river – Suhadol, Trbovlje and Renke. The investments will be discussed in spring 2025, Podobnik revealed.
Trbovlje Mayor Zoran Poznič said the agreement with HSE brings significant savings for the municipality. It also validates the local authority’s plan to install solar power systems on all public buildings, he asserted.
According to Hrastnik Mayor Marko Funkl, one of the key tasks for municipalities in Slovenia is to reduce fixed costs, including the price of electricity.
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