Slovenia adopts updated Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan

Slovenia aims to decide by 2028 whether it will build its second nuclear power plant. The government is targeting a 55.4% share of renewables in electricity, 45.2% in heating and cooling and 25.8% in transportation, according to the updated NECP for 2030. There is a need for 400 MW in batteries, 100 MW in electrolyzers and more pumped storage hydropower capacity, though the references to the Kozjak project were deleted.

The scenario with additional measures in Slovenia’s updated Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP or, in Slovenian, NEPN) envisages EUR 57 billion in investment from 2021 until the end of the decade. The government adopted the final document, which envisages EUR 22 billion for energy and climate targets in particular. The biggest chunk, EUR 5.4 billion, is for households, with measures including energy renovation and the replacement of devices.

Electricity distribution and transmission grids are entitled to EUR 4 billion, followed by distributed electricity generation from renewable sources, EUR 3.8 billion. Total public sector investments 2021-2030 are estimated at EUR 6.9 billion.

The government said the goals are aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing sustainability, energy independence and security and accelerating the transition to clean energy sources. The plan aligns with the European Union’s packages Fit for 55 and REPowerEU, the announcement adds.

Probable early closure of only coal plant would catapult Slovenia to its emissions target

The Fit-for-55 goal of a 55% drop in emissions is for 2030. Slovenia aims to achieve it only by 2033, the deadline it set for quitting the use of coal. But chances are that the country’s only coal power plant, Termoelektrarna Šoštanj (TEŠ), and its accompanying mine Premogovnik Velenje, will close within a few years or operate at minimum capacity. Its focus is on district heating, until a cleaner system replaces it.

The previous target was 36% and the baseline is the 2005 level.

Slovenia now aspires to cut emissions in buildings by at least 70%.

Gross final energy consumption in 2030 is determined at a maximum of 50.2 TWh, compared to 54.9 TWh in the initial document, adopted in 2020. The plan stipulates ending fossil fuel subsidies by the end of the period.

Industrial production projected to run 30% or more on renewables before end of decade

The targeted share of renewables in gross final energy consumption 33%. Of note, Slovenia managed to reach its EU-mandated 25% share in 2022, or 25.4% to be exact, through a so-called statistical transfer with neighboring Croatia. The European Union’s goal for 2030 is 42.5%.

The breakdown shows that renewable sources need to amount to 55.4%, against 40.7% projected for this year. The share in heating and cooling grows to 45.2% from 36.3% while in transportation it advances to 25.8% from 10.8%.

The buildings sector’s goal is 55% while industrial production, including waste heat, needs to reach 30%, the NECP reads.

Slovenia aims to host green hydrogen electrolyzers of at least 100 MW in total in 2030

Projected investments in hydrogen infrastructure by 2030 are EUR 223 million, of which nearly the entire amount is for a pipeline system and electrolyzers. The green hydrogen production capacity goal is 100 MW.

The rest of energy storage includes battery energy storage systems (BESS) of 400 MW in total capability. As for pumped storage hydropower plants, the plan is to add 440 MW by 2030 in both advanced scenarios. One is based on acceleration in renewables and the other on more nuclear energy. The capacity matches the Kozjak project. However the references to it were deleted from the draft, which pointed to potential grid connection issues.

Another pumped storage hydropower plant is seen by 2045. It would be able to generate 180 MW and store 2.6 GWh. The Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan envisages an overall 500 MW in gas power plants in Slovenia by the end of the decade.

One SMR facility seen by 2050

The document’s authors reiterated that “a quality and transparent decision” needs to be reached by 2028 on the proposal to build Slovenia’s second conventional nuclear power plant by 2040. The reference capacity in the related scenario is 1.1 GW, from a range of 1 GW to 2.4 GW. A small modular reactor (SMR), of 250 MW, would come online by mid-century, the NECP reads.

Slovenia plans to maintain a high level of electricity connectivity with neighboring countries, with a goal of more than 80%. At least 85% of power supply needs to be from domestic sources in 2030 and 100% by 2040, the government said. Another target for the current decade is to cover at least 75% of electricity demand in the transmission network, during peak load hours, with domestic production. After 2033 the level is 80%.

According to the European Commission, one third of member states are still due to submit their final updates. They include Bulgaria, Croatia and Greece, but the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan webpage could itself need an update.