Slovenia eases rules for small green power, high-efficiency cogeneration units

The cabinet warned high fines are inevitable if the country misses its targets for electricity generation from renewables. Slovenia vowed to remove administrative barriers for investors who install small green power units. The new bylaw excludes units for self-consumption.

Based on the provisions of last year’s Energy Act, a new decree in Slovenia has regulated the category of small green power facilities and devices. They produce electricity from renewable sources and in high-efficiency cogeneration. Advanced combined units for heat and power with the capacity of 50 kW at most, solar power plants of a maximum of 1 MW and wind turbines not stronger than 50 kW don’t require a building permit, the government said.

The bylaw comes into force on March 21. The cabinet determined it applies to simple systems mounted on or located next to existing structures. Units for self-consumption were excluded.

Slovenia must achieve binding targets for electricity generation from renewables or it will face high fines, the cabinet warned in the statement. It vowed to support the installation of the said small green power and high-efficiency cogeneration devices by eliminating administrative barriers.

According to the specifications, the device can’t take up more than one fifth of the building’s surface. The height of a wind turbine placed on a tower on the foundation of the structure can’t be over ten meters. If the pole is on the building, total height mustn’t exceed half of the building’s height.

Fines for breaking the rules are between EUR 250 and EUR 25,000, depending on if the investor is an individual, a legal entity or its representative. The highest possible penalty is for large companies.

The order notes obligations regarding the static, fire safety, lightning risk and noise protection assessments. The government of Slovenia said the investor must obtain consent from the owner of the adjacent land if the small green power system is planned to be installed less than 1.5 meters from the line.