Slovenia adopts proposed draft of EU directive on renewables

The Government of Slovenia adopted the proposed draft of a European Parliament and European Council directive for promotion of energy from renewable sources. Slovenia supports the binding EU target of at least 27 percent energy from renewable sources in gross final energy consumption by 2030.

Slovenia agreed that EU member states should determine by themselves their national targets for RES share in final consumption with regards to other policies in this field, taking into consideration the circumstances that might affect those aims, like the necessity for preserving environment and biodiversity.

According to the Ministry of Infrastructure press release, the state did not agree with proposed establishment of a fund to which EU members would pay fines if they do not meet their target shares for renewable energy consumption. Slovenia is against that solution because the fund’s operational principles and fines for states not meeting their aims are not defined.

Slovenia also did not want to accept the proposition to enforce mandatory national support schemes for RES from 2021 to 2025. The government did support the simplification of administrative procedures for obtaining licences for the connection of RES plants.

The 27 percent share for renewable energy is part of European Union’s climate and energy framework for 2030. Other two key targets include 27 percent improvement in energy efficiency and 40 percent cuts in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels.