Slovenian wind energy association becomes member of WindEurope

Slovenian wind energy association, GIZ Vetrne energije, established in December 2016, has become a member of the WindEurope, the European wind industry association.

On this occasion, representatives of the European Parliament, the European Commission, the Slovenian Permanent Representation and industry stakeholders gathered at breakfast organized in the European parliament on July 12. They discussed the current energy mix and the potential of wind energy deployment in Slovenia, WindEurope said in a statement.

It said that Slovenia currently has only 3.2 MW of onshore wind energy installed, with its first wind turbine being commissioned in 2012, adding that there is no official commitment as yet from the Slovenian government to deploy wind energy post-2020.

Slovenia has a great resource potential to install more wind turbines and render its energy mix much greener, the European association pointed out.

“This would send positive signals to the industry and attract investments while contributing to the 2030 decarbonisation objectives. However, the lack of a clear legislative framework for spatial planning and frequent changes in land-use legislation is not helping new investments. The uncertainty over future volumes raises the costs of capital, which goes against the European trend of significant cost reductions in onshore wind,” WindEurope said.

MEP Franc Bogovič said that Slovenia needs to speed up its efforts to increase the renewable energy share in its energy mix, reminding that all EU Member States need to submit their national energy plans by the end of this year .

He estimated that the wind energy can play an important role in achieving these efforts, but that “strategic and administrative measures for stable investment support in wind energy need to be taken”.

Giles Dickson, CEO of WindEurope, said that the 27 percent target of renewables in the European energy mix proposed by the European Commission is not enough ant that the European Union should commit itself to a minimum of 35 percent.

Mojca Grobelnik, Director of GIZ Vetrne energije, said that this national association believes that it can change the perception of the wind industry and influence national energy policy in Slovenia.