Operation of strategic importance: Centre for Development, Demonstration and Training for Carbon-Free Technologies

The Minister stressed that the Just Transition Fund (JTF) provides the much-needed financial impetus for the development of the Zasavje region. In fact, the JTF funding is used exclusively for the coal regions Zasavje and Savinjsko-Šaleška (SAŠA). In this context, the JTF has earmarked around 75 million euros for measures supporting the economy, development, business infrastructure, education and training. These measures are carried out by different line ministries. The JTF is also co-financing the establishment of the Centre for Development, Demonstration and Training for Carbon-Free Technologies.  

In addition, the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has already approved four applications for funding submitted by the municipalities from the Zasavje coal region. The four projects that were selected through a call for proposals and are already underway focus on setting up business zones and business incubators and will receive a total of over 13 million euros in co-financing from the JTF.

The Minister reiterated the importance of investing in research and development (R&D). In this context, he reminded that the newly introduced Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) gives fresh impetus to development-oriented and competitiveness-oriented businesses in the EU.  

''The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development amended Slovenia’s cohesion policy programme to integrate STEP already back at the start of the year. Thus, we secured 100 million euros in grants for the development of key strategic technologies, greater economic independence, and cutting-edge research infrastructure. The second amendment of the programme will soon be realised with additional 53 million euros topping up the initial 100 million euros for STEP,'' said the Minister.

The project cost is estimated at 32 million euros. The project is classified as an operation of strategic importance and will be co-financed by the EU. Featuring state-of-the art premises, cutting-edge R&D equipment, and a series of training programmes, the centre aims to enhance the flow of know-how from labs to industry and accelerate commercial deployment of innovative solutions.   

The centre will feature two labs, one for development, preparation, and testing of batteries and another for chemical reaction engineering of CO₂ and hydrogen conversions. The labs will support pilot testing and deployment of innovative battery materials, thus meeting the needs of Slovenian and international industry.