Electricity

Slovenia’s coal phaseout: Coal assets to be separated from electricity utility HSE

slovenia coal phaseout hse sostanj velenje

Coal mine Velenje and coal power plant Šoštanj (photo: HSE)

Published

December 6, 2024

Country

Comments

comments icon

0

Share

Published:

December 6, 2024

Country:

Comments:

comments icon

0

Share

The Government of Slovenia will provide EUR 403 million to save the Šoštanj coal power plant and coal mine Velenje from bankruptcy and will take over both entities from state-owned power utility Holding Slovenske Elektrarne (HSE). The move is part of the coal phaseout process, which the country aims to complete it by 2033, but it may end much sooner.

Representatives of HSE and energy experts have been warning for years that Termoelektrarna Šoštanj (TEŠ), the operator of Slovenia’s only remaining coal power plant, is struggling in its operations. One of the reasons is that its production costs, burdened by carbon allowances, have made it uncompetitive in the market. Losses have been exceeding EUR 100 million per year.

Studies are under development since at least the beginning of the year to prepare for the possibility of separating TEŠ and coal mine Premogovnik Velenje from HSE. In May, Prime Minister Robert Golob acknowledged that TEŠ and Velenje may end operations before the expected closure in 2033.

The government revealed in a new statement that it expects TEŠ and Premogovnik Velenje to go bankrupt early next year. It adopted a bill to provide subsidies and transitional financing for an accelerated and just transition toward a coal exit and beyond it. The legislation envisages a transfer of the two entities into direct state ownership.

TEŠ will primarily produce heat and operate through April 2027

The bill stipulates social security and job protection for employees in the mine and the thermal power plant, according to the government. It said it would enable the inhabitants of the Šalek valley to live decently. The proposal was prepared by the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy.

The Šalek valley is part of the Savinja and Šalek region (in Slovenian language: Savinjsko-šaleška regija – SAŠA). It is one of the country’s two coal regions, the other one being Zasavje, eligible for support for a just transition under European Union rules.

About EUR 324 million will be allocated to support the production of heat

Through April 2027, TEŠ would primarily provide heat for district heating for the Šalek valley – more precisely, the municipalities of Velenje and Šoštanj, the proposition adds. About EUR 324 million would be allocated to support the production of heat.

It would prevent the bankruptcy of the power plant and mine, which was expected at the beginning of next year at the height of the winter heating season, the government said.

The initiation of bankruptcy proceedings would jeopardize jobs and the employees’ families and leave 35,000 inhabitants and all public institutions and companies without heating.

The government is preparing two more laws

In addition to the EUR 324 million, EUR 79 million is required to pay off TEŠ’s loans, the government stressed. Giving up ownership over TEŠ and the mine will relieve HSE of burden and enable it to compensate the state for the aid, the document adds.

The new bill is a transitional solution until the adoption of measures for a just coal phaseout, the restructuring of the area’s economy and finding alternative sources for heat production, according to the government. It said it would provide time for the region to resolve key issues regarding the just transition, it added.

HSE: Continued aid to TEŠ and the mine would be illegal state aid

The measures are part of the upcoming legislation facilitating a gradual closure of the Velenje coal mine and the restructuring that will enable the development of the Savinja and Šalek region, the Government of Slovenia stressed.

Of note, HSE said in September that the results of an analysis of the operation of the company’s thermal division showed TEŠ and Premogovnik Velenje would become unprofitable due to changes in the market and a drop in electricity prices below their cost of production.

The holding pointed out that from January 1, 2025, it wouldn’t be able to fund the uninterrupted operation of the two entities, arguing that such state aid would be illegal according to EU law.

Comments (0)

Be the first one to comment on this article.

Enter Your Comment
Please wait... Please fill in the required fields. There seems to be an error, please refresh the page and try again. Your comment has been sent.

Related Articles

croatia us energy meeting smr warsaw nuclear institute plenkovic wright susnjar

Croatia discusses installation of small modular reactors with US

05 May 2025 - The delegations from the two countries met on the sidelines of the 10th summit meeting of the Three Seas Initiative, held in Warsaw

bih republic of srpska concession trebinje 3 solar djokic petrovic

Republic of Srpska awards concession for Trebinje 3 solar project

05 May 2025 - The Trebinje 3 photovoltaic plant would have an installed capacity of 53.63 MW and an estimated annual production of 85.5 GWh

Landmark report safety cybersecurity higher yield SolarEdge PV systems

Landmark report demonstrates safety, cybersecurity, higher yield of SolarEdge PV systems

05 May 2025 - VDE Renewables found that SolarEdge’s advanced safety capabilities minimize photovoltaic system risks and effectively prevent fire hazards

engie romania wind project Mereni Constanța

Engie Romania takes over 54 MW wind power project

02 May 2025 - The project is located in Constanța county, an area with high wind potential, recognized for its superior yields in green energy production