Second Annual Meeting Under the Second Swiss Contribution
Agri-photovoltaic pilot project in a research apple orchard of the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia | Author Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy
The meeting was opened by the Ambassador of Switzerland to Slovenia, Her Excellency Gabriele Schreier, and the Minister for Cohesion and Regional Development Dr Aleksander Jevšek. Both speakers praised cooperation between the two countries and said a few words about the approved programme Increasing Energy Efficiency and Promoting Renewable Energy in Alpine Regions. The Programme makes CHF 15. 12 million available to Slovenia and aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving energy efficiency, fostering renewable energy, and raising awareness of the importance of transitioning to a low-carbon society. The basis for the launch of the Programme are the documents Support Measure Agreement and Support Measure Implementation Agreement that were signed on 11 April 2025.
The aim of the annual meeting was to discuss the progress made in conducting two feasibility studies funded by the Technical Support under the second Swiss Contribution and to assess the progress made in implementing the programme Increasing Energy Efficiency and Promoting Renewable Energy in Alpine Regions. The representatives of the Green Transition Promotion Office and the Energy Directorate from the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy which acts as the Programme Operator gave an overview of major milestones achieved, outlining the planned activities for the coming year.
On 13 May 2025, a day before the annual meeting, the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy invited the delegation from Switzerland on a field visit to the research apple orchard of the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, the site of an agri-photovoltaic pilot project that is carried out as part of a Technical Support-funded feasibility study. The delegations also visited the Ljubljana-based Primary School Miško Kranjec, where photovoltaic solar panels had been integrated on the green roof. The project, co-funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, the City of Ljubljana, and private investor, has been recognised as an example of good practice in renewable energy communities.