Energy-intensive firms in Slovenia to invest EUR 450 million in decarbonization by 2030

Twenty energy-intensive companies in Slovenia plan to invest EUR 450 million in decarbonization by 2030, according to the Chamber of Commerce of Slovenia’s (GZS) Strategic Council for Energy Transition. At the latest meeting, the members of the panel revealed the results of a study on the energy transition of the country’s industry.

Slovenian businesses support the energy transition and are rapidly preparing for it, but they require help from the government, the document says. It was commissioned by the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sports.

The study analyzes the Slovenian industry’s decarbonization and green transition potential, with an emphasis on energy-intensive activities.

Vesna Nahtigal, general manager of GZS, said Slovenia still has a lot of potential in electricity production and that there is no reason why it wouldn’t be tapped to secure energy at competitive prices for energy-intensive industries.

Prebil Bašin: There is great potential in reducing electricity consumption

She pointed to the sector’s significance in avoiding the need to import dirty materials from other parts of the world and pretend that way that Slovenia did something good for the environment.

According to Petra Prebil Bašin, director of GZS’s Metals and Nonmetals Association, energy-intensive enterprises in Slovenia are among the best in Europe when it comes to sustainability and energy-saving standards.

However, representatives of the Slovenian industry believe there is still great potential in reducing electricity consumption through the development of a circular economy, new technologies and carbon capture, she said.

The key obstacles are public opinion, as it does not yet recognize waste as a raw material, the unclear legal framework and lengthy procedures for deploying new technologies.

The key, in her words, is in investments in energy infrastructure, ranging from new power plants to grids.

Three conclusions

The strategic council adopted three conclusions:

1. The industry has plans, vision and projects to transition to net zero carbon emissions. By 2030, 20 energy-intensive companies will invest more than EU 450 million in decarbonization.
2. Companies want dialogue with decision makers as well as government support for green transition activities, so the panel is encouraging all shareholders to participate in raising public awareness about the urgent investments in energy infrastructure and domestic energy sources to achieve energy independence.
3. The main bottlenecks in decarbonization are in financing, environmental protection, permitting, legislation and the lack of manpower and knowledge.

The presentation of the study was also attended by Minister of the Environment, Climate and Energy Bojan Kumer and State Secretary in the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sports Matevž Frangež.