The i-MOTION investment shows incredible potential for a major breakthrough of Slovenian automotive suppliers to rise to the very top of niche European manufacturers of components and systems for vehicle electric motor drives. By developing new product concepts and manufacturing technologies, the consortium partners will adopt new approaches to address technological challenges, test them in laboratory settings and, whenever possible (due to the time limitations of the investment), validate them in an operational setting. A state subsidy of up to EUR 14.6 million was approved for the EUR 32.2 million investment in research and development and innovations.

The e-MOTION investment brings together automotive businesses investing in product and manufacturing technology research and development on electric motor drives for electric vehicles with the aim of bringing new solutions to the market as fast as possible for a quick capitalisation on the partners’ research and development investments to ensure continuous cycles of development. The investment results are aimed at driving the development of industrialization products to high levels immediately after investment. A subsidy of up to EUR 16 million was approved for the EUR 28.6 million investment in research and development and innovations.

Pursuant to the Investment Promotion Act, the consortium investors taking part in the GREMO mission filed their applications for the co-financing of research and development and innovations with the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport on 28 July 2022. Both investments began on 1 August 2022 and will be completed on 31 July 2025.

Source: Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport

Eco Fund annual report 2022

The Government committee adopted the Annual Activity and Business Report of the Eco Fund, the Slovenian Environmental Public Fund, for 2022. The Government decided to use the Eco Fund’s surplus of EUR 2,018,430 recorded in 2022 to increase the fund’s earmarked assets.

According to the adopted business and financial plan, the Eco Fund continued its mission by supporting environmental investments, providing grants, offering advisory services to residents and raising public awareness about investments easing environmental burdens and reducing energy use. Pursuant to the Act on Energy Efficiency and the programme of the Climate Change Fund, the Eco Fund continued to award grants for various investments in the use of renewable energy sources and greater energy efficiency, thus contributing to the fulfilment of the Energy Efficiency Action Plan’s objectives. It also coordinated and financed free energy advisory services for clients as part of the ENSVET network.

In addition to the above, the Eco Fund also promoted various forms of education and public awareness campaigns. These activities are essential to ensure that various target groups learn about and understand environmental issues, and are prepared to alter their behaviour. Such activities also contributed to the Eco Fund’s promotion and visibility, and the use of its services.

The Eco Fund’s activities follow the guidelines of the adopted policy on environmental protection and efficient energy use. As a major policy player, the Eco Fund’s work helps meet the targets set by Slovenia, mainly in relation to reducing greenhouse gas emissions both to decrease energy use and increase the use of renewable energy sources.

Source: Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy

Government increases the value of the project of adaptation of the Curricular and Extracurricular Activities Centre administrative building

At the meeting of the Committee on State Organisation and Public Affairs, the Government increased the value of the project to adapt the Curricular and Extracurricular Activities Centre’s administrative building (CŠOD). The investment’s purpose was to acquire additional functional space, repair damage to the building (peeling of the ceiling finish, renovation of the roof structure), extend the building’s lifetime, reduce energy and water consumption, and increase the quality of hygiene and working conditions.

The project aimed to provide an additional 150 m2 of functional space in the existing building’s attic, which would be converted into office and ancillary space with office and other equipment, by means of investment maintenance and adaptation works. The estimated value of the project in 2021 was EUR 402,194.72, with the Ministry of Education's (then Ministry of Education, Science and Sport) share being EUR 320,000 and the CŠOD's share being EUR 82,194.72.

In 2022, the construction of the Bellevue Living office and retail building in the immediate vicinity significantly reduced the usability of the premises on the building’s north side, so a comprehensive adaptation of the internal office space was undertaken, with a rearrangement of the internal workspaces, including the replacement of mechanical and electrical installations, furniture and fittings, floor coverings, etc. The Ministry provided an additional EUR 93,491.70 in 2022 to carry out these works, and the total value of the investment including the additional works was EUR 509,847.

In 2023, while the above works were being carried out, severe damage to the wooden ceiling beams was discovered along the north wall on the ground floor, seriously compromising the mechanical stability of the building. In addition, the entire ceiling on the ground floor needed a proper static reinforcement (metal support system). The plasterwork was also badly damaged and had to be thoroughly and professionally restored (with micro-armature mesh and adhesives) as a part of the works. All of these additional works (installations, plastering, ceiling, flooring) were carried out at a cost of EUR 386,434.54, of which the Ministry will provide an additional EUR 300,000 in 2023, while the rest will be covered by the CŠOD. The total investment value is therefore EUR 896,281.54.

The change in the value of the project does not involve an increase in expenditure from the State budget, as it is a reallocation of funds within the Ministry of Education's Financial Plan.

Source: Ministry of Education

Government changes the value of projects in the municipalities of Sevnica and Dolenjske Toplice

At the Committee meeting, the Government changed its valuation of the New Ana Gale Primary School project in the municipality of Sevnica and the Extension of the Dolenjske Toplice Primary School project in the current Development Programmes Plan for the period 2023-2026.

New Ana Gale Primary School in Sevnica

The purpose of the project is to ensure new premises for the Ana Gale Primary School in Sevnica to provide education for people with special needs. The spatial conditions of living and professional training will be improved. The project consists of the reconstruction of a 270 m2 building, the extension of 753 m2 of school space, the new construction of a 203 m2 gym and the arrangement of external areas. State co-financing in the amount of EUR 1,096,897.26 is foreseen in 2023. To complete the investment, the municipality will acquire a grant from the EcoFund, which provides financial incentives to local communities for nearly zero-energy buildings. The EcoFund subsidy, up to a maximum of EUR 286,626.00, will be paid from the Climate Change Fund. The design cost estimate was based on a conceptual design and significantly lower prices for construction services and materials in 2021, and amounted to EUR 2,913,789.56 including VAT. Due to significantly higher market prices set by the contractors and the different projected inflation rates that have affected the recalculation of the current prices, the project’s new baseline value (contract value) is EUR 4,153,285.23 including VAT. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. The total value of the project is thus increased by EUR 1,239,495.67.

Extension of Dolenjske Toplice Primary School – Kindergarten

The project initially aimed to provide 10 playrooms and ancillary facilities for the Gumbek Kindergarten near the Dolenjske Toplice Primary School. The aim of the project was an extension of the building near the existing Dolenjske Toplice Primary School, covering an area of approximately 1,991.30 m2. In accordance with the Decision and the Investment Co-financing Contract, EUR 100,000 were paid by the State in 2022. In 2023, a disbursement of EUR 1,072,667.07 is foreseen. To complete the investment, the municipality will acquire a grant from the EcoFund, which provides financial incentives to local communities for nearly zero-energy buildings. The EcoFund subsidy, projected at EUR 733,770, will be paid from the Climate Change Fund. The project’s original baseline value was EUR 4,441,070 including VAT. The investment value has increased in line with the latest plan and amounts to EUR 8,629,877.51. The original design cost estimate was made in 2016, when prices for construction services and materials were significantly lower than in 2022. The final plan included certain items that had not been taken into account in the Investment Project Identification Document (DIIP), namely connections, unforeseen works, equipment, supporting professional services of the Institute for Research in Materials and Structures, land, and other costs with a total value of EUR 709,083.24.

The floorplan of the new kindergarten has also increased from 1,991.30 m2 to 3,279.86 m2 (including covered parking) – a whopping 64.7%. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. The total value of the project is increased by EUR 4,188,807.51.

Source: Ministry of Education