Renewable energy sources

The benefits of renewable energy sources

Renewable energy sources reduce dependence on imported energy sources at the local level and enhance energy security. Furthermore, as one of the fastest-growing sectors, the renewable energy industry promotes employment and rural development.

Compared to fossil fuels, the use of energy from renewable sources results in lower greenhouse gas emissions, which has a positive impacts on environmental quality. More environmentally friendly and efficient renewable energy technologies attract investments in the modernisation and replacement of outdated energy generation technologies. 

The widespread distribution and accessibility of renewable energy sources enables better coordination of energy supply with local needs. As their use increases, renewable energy sources are becoming cost-competitive with fossil fuels.

Renewable energy sources in Slovenia

The most important renewable energy source in the country is wood biomass, followed by hydropower. In recent years, however, the most dynamic growth has been in the use of solar energy and biogas.In addition to aforementioned energy sources, the potential of wind and geothermal energy will further contribute to increased consumption of renewable energy sources. 

Slovenia does not have a developed biofuels market. Biofuels, as well as liquid fossil fuels for transportation, are supplied to the country through the EU market. Slovenia has no significant areas of agricultural land dedicated to the production of biofuel feedstocks.

The key objective of biofuel policy is to ensure measurable greenhouse gas emission savings resultung from the transition to biofuels. When the full life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions are taken into account, the estimated emission savings achieved through the use of "first-generation" biofuels - that is, biofuels produced from agricultural crops- are relatively low or may even be negligable. In the future, greater emphasis is expected to be placed on promoting the development of "second-" or "third-generation" biofuels derived from non-food feedstocks, such as wood residues from forest biomass processing, waste materials or straw. Given Slovenia's relatively abundant availability of forest biomass, "second-" or "third-generation" biofuels represent a significant opportunity for the country's future development.

National targets for the use of renewable energy sources by 2030

Slovenia has set an overarching national target of achieving at least a 27 percent share of renewable energy sources in gross final energy consumption by 2030. In accordance with the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), sector-specific targets for the share of renewable energy sources in gross final energy consumption have also been set for 2030:

• heating and cooling sector = 41,4 percent
• electricity sector = 43,3 percent
• transportation sector = 20,8 percent (the share of biofuels is at least 11 percent).

Given the challenges involved in achieving the overall renewable energy target, Slovenia has also set additional targets in the following sectors: 

• at least two-thirds of energy consumption in buildings must come from renewable energy sources (the share of renewable energy in final energy consumption, excluding electricity and district heating), and a ban on the sale and installation of new fuel oil boilers by 2023 at the latest;
• 1,3 percent annual increase in the share of renewable energy in industrial heating and cooling, including waste heat and cold (a priority area for use);
• at least a 30 percent share of renewable energy (including waste heat) in industry; 
• 1 percent annual increase in the share of renewable energy sources and surplus heat and cooling in district heating and cooling systems; 
• establish, by 2021, a supportive legislative framework to accelerate community-based development in the area of renewable energy utilization (community power plants) and to direct investments in renewable energy sources to areas where no major additional grid investments are required.

Slovenia has already adopted a comprehensive set of energy and climate policy measures. Achieving the ambitious targets set out in the National Energy and Climate Plan, it will be necessary to continue implementing existing measures, to upgrade and expand them, as well as to adopt additional measures. Particular attention will be devoted to monitoring of the implementation of these measures and to appropriately adjust and improve individual policy instruments. In addition to the existing measures, the introduction of further measures will be essential to achieve the overarching renewable energy sources target. 

Key measures include: 

• a financial support scheme for electricity generated from renewable energy sources and in small-scale thermal power plants (public calls for proposals by the Energy Agency),
• accelerated preparation of spatial plans for energy infrastructure of national importance that utilizes renewable energy sources,
• a proactive role for the state in identifying and spatially designating environmentally acceptable sites for hydropower and wind energy development,
• the possibility of obtaining favorable loans form Eko Sklad, as well as grants from Eko Sklad and the competent Ministry of Energy,
• co-financing of the district heating systems fueled by wood biomass that use the latest technologies,
• production and injection of gases from renewable energy sources (such as hydrogen and synthetic methane) into natural gas pipeline systems.