Contracts signed for projects Old Power Plant - Centre of the Future and Velenje Technological Park - TecHub

The projects were selected under the Call for proposals for co-financing the development of business incubators in the SAŠA coal region under the Just Transition Fund in the period 2025-2026 that was prepared by the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development. The project Old Power Plant – Centre of the Future will receive €28.1 million in co-financing, while the Velenje Technological Park – TecHub is set to receive €14.1 million.   

Minister Jevšek said on this occasion: ''These are not the only projects funded by the Just Transition Fund in the SAŠA coal region that are currently underway:

• the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has already approved funding for the project Development of Business Zone Pesje East with co-financing totalling €2.1 million;
• the Ministry of Education has launched a call for proposals for enriching quality and accessible education with a budget of €6. 2 million;
• next week, we are going to sign a €23.4 million contract for the transformation of the district heating system in the Šaleška dolina valley;
• I have already signed a funding decision for the laboratory of the National Institute of Chemistry that will operate within the TecHub. The project will receive €15.3 million in co-financing.

These projects are a testament to our commitment to region’s restructuring. Let me also add that the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development approved €45 million in EU funding for the third development axis, that is, for section two between Velenje and Slovenj Gradec, more precisely, for lot B Škalsko Lake and lot H Konovo.  

We have channelled a total of €134 million in EU and national funding in the SAŠA coal region. This funding will give a fresh impetus to new, more sustainable development of a region where, for decades, coal mining and heavy industry have been the backbone of economic growth.''

Peter Dermol, Mayor of the Urban Municipality of Velenje said: ''This signing means that the restructuring process is already underway, even though the restructuring development act has yet to be adopted. The road to the two projects was not an easy one, though. We had to meet a number of demanding conditions, but we are glad that the investor set the bar so high. We are fully aware that we need to achieve the set goals and construct both buildings within the planned timeframes.''