Nominee for Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Jernej Vrtovec said his approach would be a smart, realistic energy policy for Slovenia, and “not a green activist energy policy.” He vowed to accelerate infrastructure projects and make sure that “anyone who has five minutes of time” wouldn’t be able to block them. The priority is to build the second part of the Krško nuclear power plant, the future minister pointed out and also highlighted several hydropower investments including the plan for the Kozjak pumped storage hydropower plant.
Candidate Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Jernej Vrtovec joined the cabinet list proposed for a plenary vote in the National Assembly, the lower chamber of the Slovenian Parliament. He and other nominees have won their approvals from the relevant committees to serve under Prime Minister Janez Janša, who assumed office two weeks ago.
“My key message regarding energy is long-term energy self-sufficiency and independence, and the robustness of our electricity system,” Vrtovec said at the hearing. The energy system will be based on nuclear energy, hydropower, geothermal energy and “other rational renewable sources” but not wind power, he noted, citing the coalition agreement. “The wind potential is small, let’s be realistic,” he added.
The energy system will be based on nuclear energy, hydropower, geothermal energy and “other rational renewable sources” but not wind power
Vrtovec is the leader of New Slovenia – Christian Democrats (NSi), a junior partner of Janša’s Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS).
“My approach will be a smart, realistic energy policy, not a green activist energy policy,” the candidate stressed.
Jernej Vrtovec has a theology degree from the University of Ljubljana. He was minister of infrastructure in Janša’s previous, third cabinet, which was in power from 2020 to 2022. Vrtovec was also elected to parliament in all four general elections since 2014.
Vrtovec slams ‘quasi-green deals’
The incoming energy and infrastructure minister vowed to accelerate projects, which mirrors the commitments of previous governments. Vrtovec’s priority is the second unit of Slovenia’s sole nuclear power plant, Krško, rather than “finding answers in quasi-green deals,” as he put it.
He called it “a competitive, reliable, predictable source of energy.” Vrtovec didn’t rule out an agreement regarding Krško 2 with some other country.
“Anyone with five minutes of time in this country wants to stop a certain investment, be it a civil initiative, an organization, a community, anyone or even some state bodies that block other state bodies. My key message is that this must be stopped. Strategic state projects in energy and infrastructure cannot be halted by someone who has only a partial interest,” he told his peers. On that note, the candidate placed emphasis on long-term planning as an overarching vision for development.
A special bill of law is in the pipeline for the acceleration of the spatial planning process
A special bill will be written in cooperation with the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning, for spatial planning for strategic projects, according to Jernej Vrtovec.
Turning to hydropower, he highlighted the need to complete the spatial planning process as soon as possible for three projects on the middle course of Slovenia’s part of the Sava river, as well as to start the construction of the Mokrice system in the downstream section. Vrtovec also expressed the willingness to accelerate the Kozjak pumped storage hydropower project.
Slovenia to ask EU for exemption from emissions certificates
As for the coal phaseout, the candidate said the legislation should be amended. In his view, one of the reasons that the coal for Termoelektrarna Šoštanj (TEŠ) is very expensive is because of emission costs. Recalling how the previous cabinet in which he was minister has repeatedly asked the European Commission for an exemption from paying for the carbon allowances, Vrtovec said the authorities would resume the effort.
TEŠ is the only remaining coal plant in Slovenia. It has been reducing operations, mostly pressured by market forces. Some lawmakers criticized Vrtovec’s stance, reminding him that the European Union has approved EUR 260 million for Slovenia’s just transition away from coal and claiming that it could freeze the funds.
Ministry’s operations, regulations to come under revision
A merger between the Climate Fund, Slovenian Environmental Public Fund (Eco Fund or Eko sklad) and the support center of the country’s power market operator Borzen is under consideration, the nominee revealed. He also indicated that the ministry would conduct a comprehensive review of finances, subsidies and legislation.
As for solar power, Vrtovec criticized support mechanisms, especially for suppliers. “I also have a solar power plant at home. Without annual net metering and subsidies, would anyone in this country build one again? I admit it, no. And now we see that on an annual level, this is a loss of EUR 30 million to EUR 50 million,” he stated.
Jernej Vrtovec said solar power needs to be combined with energy storage
The ministerial candidate said solar power plants should be built in combination with energy storage and on degraded land, in industrial areas, and where energy is already being used and in agreement with the local community.
Among other things, Jernej Vrtovec said dual use investments are necessary – connecting the power sector and the military, including in the segments of hydrogen, battery storage and cybersecurity.
Rifelj hints at referendum vote on waste incinerators
Candidate for Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning Polona Rifelj also expressed commitment to cutting red tape.
“I am a proponent of a department that will work with people and for people. This means quickly where possible and thoughtfully where there are lasting consequences for the environment and space,” she told lawmakers.
With regard to projects for waste incinerators, she is also opting for reviews, which would focus on the concession process. In her opinon, citizens should decide in a referendum about the construction of the waste-to-energy facilities.
In addition, the nominee said the ministry would tackle legal uncertainty in the area of packaging waste management and extended producer responsibility.
