Supply: Energy Sources
Electricity
installed electric capacity (2008) | 3.2 GW | |
|---|---|---|
of which | Thermal: | 48 % |
| Nuclear: | 21 % |
| Hydro: | 31 % |
Since 2001, electricity production has varied beween 14-15 TWh and reached 16,4 TWh in 2008.
Nuclear Power Plants
In the field of nuclear energy, Slovenia operates a nuclear power plant located at Krško. One unit of Westinghouse-PWR-664-W design type is in operation.
A bilateral agreement with Croatia on the joint management of the nuclear power plant was signed in December 2001 and submitted to both countries' Parliaments for ratification. The Memorandum of Association which is in force in 2003 regulates that the plant produces and supplies electricity exclusively in favour of the two partners HEP and ELES who each have the right and obliation to use 50% of the total output. Furthermore, it regulates the questions of long-term disposal of nuclear waste, the status and other legal relations concerning investments in the power plant, its usage and decommissioning.
Following a coolant leak on June 4th 2008 that was reported and fixed immediately but also broadcast in various media by the European Community Urgent Radiological Information Exchange (ECURIE), a debate on the reporting procedures of ECURIE was triggered.
Some European countries argued that it was too much of a hassle for what was only a minor incident.
Production of Electricity in 2008 according to energy sources in Slovenia, as compared to other countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Austria and the European Union 15
Per Capita Consumption of Electricity since 1988 in Slovenia, as compared to other countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Austria and the European Union 15
Table: Electricity production balance in 2009
Electricity balance - 2009 | TWh | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
GROSS PRODUCTION, of which | 16.40 | 100.0 | |
hydro | 4.71 | 28.72 | |
nuclear | 5.74 | 35.00 | |
wind | 0 | 0 | |
thermal, of which | 5.95 | 36.28 | |
| ex-coal | 5.13 | 31.28 |
| ex-oil | 0.03 | 0.18 |
| ex-gas | 0.59 | 3.60 |
| ex-biomass | 0.19 | 1.16 |
NET PRODUCTION | 15.37 | 93.72 | |
Imports | 6.16 | 37.56 | |
Exports | -9.22 | -56.22 | |
Transport/distribution losses | -0.89 | -5.43 | |
TOTAL CONSUMPTION | 11.42 | 69.84 | |
Energy sector consumption | 0.13 | 0.79 | |
FINAL CONSUMPTION | 11.29 | 68.84 | |
| industry | 4.97 | 30.30 |
| transport | 0.16 | 0.98 |
| households, services | 6.17 | 37.62 |
Electricity production in Slovenia according to energy sources, 2009
Electricity grid
Slovenia participates in the UCTE since 1975 and had strong connections with the neighbouring countries. There are 2x400 kV and 1x220 kV line to Austria, 1x400 kV and 1x220 kV line to Italy and 3x400 kV and 2x220 kV lines to Croatia. The planned link to Hungary, if undertaken, will serve not just to tap other export sources but also to provide an additional infrastructure support to the eastward expansion of the EU Internal Electricity Market. Slovenia is a small consumer of electricity relative to other UCTE countries, but because of its position and strong connections plays important role in the European Electricity Market.
Oil and Natural Gas
Oil
Slovenia is heavily depending on imports of oil or oil products respectively. The country's only refinery (Lendava) ceased its activity in October 2000 (operational capacity of 12 000 bl/d). Prices were liberalised in 1998, the state controls the prices of gasoline and LPG. The price of gasoline amounted to € 0,97/l and that of diesel to € 0,96/l in 2009.
Gas
The geographical situation of Slovenia enables the country to have a gas network connected to the most important international networks, coming from Russia and since 1992 from Algeria. In 2008 Slovenia imported 1.1 Gm3 of natural gas (50 % from Russia, 30 % from Algeria, 14 % from Austria and 6 % from Italy).
Coal
There are brown coal resources in the country, which account for 95% of coal consumption. Two sub bituminous coal and brown-coal mines of a total capacity of 5 Mt/an are in operation. But these products are of very low quality, with a low calorific value and a high sulfur rate and ashes. Therefore, for environmental reasons, the cogeneration plant of Ljubljana is obliged to consume imported coal. Coal is of major importance to Slovenia both for heating and electricity generation.
Renewable energy
Hydropower
Current status
Hydropower supplies about one-third of Slovenia's electricity generating capacity. The Drava River is the major source of hydroelectric power in Slovenia and has a technical potential of 2,896 GWh (of which 97,8 % are already developed).
The Sava River has the second largest technical potential of Slovenian rivers (usable potential of 2,794 GWh). About 18 percent of the Sava is being utilized currently. The rest of the rivers have 3,455 GWh of potential with about 22 percent of the potential being utilized.
In 2006, 400 small hydropower plants with a total capacity of 85 MW were operating in Slovenia. The majority of small hydropower plants is recently built: over 300 plants are between 0-20 years old. According to a publication by the Thematic Network of Small Hydropower, the remaining technically and economically feasible potential for small hydro is estimated at another 40 MW (taking into account environmental constraints). The National Energy Plan states an existing capacity of 60 MW with a potential to increase this to 110 mW until 2020, whereas ApE estimated the (cumulative) potential at up to 200 MW until 2020.
[Gospodjinacki,EBRD, TNSHP, Nemac]
Hydro Power Potential and Targets
The technically feasibable hydropower potential of the Republic of Slovenia is estimated 8,800 GWh/yr and only a third of this potential has been tapped to date.
With an estimated 8,800 GWh/yr of technically feasibly hydropower potential (only a third of which has been developed to date) and a desire to minimize import costs, increased hydroelectric power generation is a strategic objective of Slovenia’s energy policy. Slovenia currently has approximately 930 MW of hydroelectric capacity.
Refurbishment of existing small scale hydropower, as well as increasing the capacity of the large-scale units, are part of the Government's renewable energy strategy. The Slovene Government would also like to develop another five hydro sites along the lower Sava River, which could add about another 200 MWe of new hydro capacity to the system by 2010. Approximately 230 MW of capacity is currently under construction throughout the entire country; another 520 MW of capacity has been planned.
Bioenergy
Current status
Over half of Slovenia is covered with forests and wooded areas. Wood is an important fuel for space heating, particularly in the residential sector.
According to a review about Slovenia’s energy policy in regard to RES, the highest potential for development is given in the areas of forest biomass – in particular for utilization in district heating systems (wind energy is mentioned next). Within 10 years, energy consumption from biomass could be increased from currently 12 PJ by another 5 PJ. According to the national forest institute, 600,000 metric tons of wood biomass would be available for district heating systems. The installed capacity of combined heat and power plants fuelled by solid biomass was 6 MW in 2004. The National Energy Programme states a potential to increase this to 9 and to 11 MW by 2010 and 2020, respectively.
In order to meet the targets stated in the National Energy Programme (see chapter: Energy Policy), it would be required to increase the utilization of wood biomass to 3.1 PJ, of biogas to 0.4 PJ, of geothermal energy to 0.4 PJ and of other renewable energy sources to 0.1 PJ. This could be reached by installing annually 1,500 wood boilers in households, 50 larger biomass boilers in industry or the public sector, 3-5 biomass district heating installations, 10,000 square meters of solar collectors and 500 heat pumps.
Forest residues account for about 359 th MW. In the country's wood processing industry there are about 80 wood waste boilers of capacities of greater than 1 MWth. There are also two small municipal wood-fueled district heating plants. Other main installations are a 6 MWth facility in the city of Zelezniki that supplies hot water to local business, public and residential buildings. A 4 MWth unit is operating in the city of Gornji Grad, which also supplies hot water to public and residential buildings. Moreover, many rural households and farms use firewood as a fuel source.
Between 2001 und 2005, a programme by UNDP aimed at reducing barriers hampering biomass utilization. This included measures to raise awareness in municipalities about the benefits of the utilization of forest biomass, feasibility studies and pilot projects.
Biogas has an even higher potential. Currently, 6 mostly agricultural biogas plants with a total installed capacity of 3.4 MWel and 4.1 MWth are in operation.
According to the National Energy Programme, this could be increased to 28 MW in 2010 and 33 MW in 2020.
In 2005, 8,000 tons of biodiesel were produced in Slovenia. According to a separate study by ApE for the National Energy Programme, a capacity of 10,000 – 20,000 could be reached by 2010 – 2020.
Wind energy
Current Status of Wind Energy
There is currently little use of wind energy in Slovenia, except for minor installations for recording purposes, or minor remote locations for water pumping and feed grinding. Average wind speeds recorded by the Hydrometeorological Office of Slovenia (Hidrometeoroloski zavod Slovenia) over many years show the following results:
Place | Average Speed |
|---|---|
Ajdovscina | 3.6 m/s |
Brnik | 1.7 m/s |
Krsko | 2.1 m/s |
Maribor | 2.8 m/s |
Portoroz | 4.5 m/s |
Potential for Wind Energy
Potential for wind energy utilization is primarily given in the region Primorska. However, most of the potential sites are situated in ecologically sensitive mountain regions which are under consideration for national parks.
Solar energy
Current Status of Solar Energy
Slovenia has good conditions for both solar thermal and photovoltaic energy use.
The total installed capacity of photovoltaic installations was 0.216 MW in 2005. Solar Thermal installations amounted to 106,300 square meters in 2005, equivalent to a capacity of 74.4 MWth.
Solar Energy Resource Potential
The capacity of solar thermal installations could be increased to 300,000 square meters in 2010, and 500,000 in 2020.
The potential for increasing the utilization of photovoltaic systmes is estimated at 1 to 10 MW until 2020 by the National Energy Programme and the related study by ApE, respectively.
Place | Average day solar radiation |
|---|---|
Ajdovscina | 3,210 |
Brnik | 2,950 |
Novo Mesto | 3,030 |
Koper | 3,400 |
Maribor | 3,010 |
Ljubljana | 22960 |
Geothermal Energy
Current status:
The existing installed capacity of Geothermal energy in Slovenia amounted to about 44 MW in 2004. Geothermal energy is currently not used for electricity production.
Potential / Prospects
The utilization of geothermal energy for heat production could be increased to 330 MWth in 2010 and 500 MWth in 2020. Geothermal energy is currently not used for electricity production. Until 2020, the contribution of geothermal installations to electricity production could amount to 40 MW.
Support Mechanisms and feed-in conditions for electricity from renewable energy sources
The latest amendments to the Energy Act (EZ-C) (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No 70/08) were adopted by the Slovenian National Assembly to ensure harmonisation of Slovenia's legal order with EU regulations. Amendments were needed partly in order to regulate support for power stations generating electricity from renewable energy sources (RES), in accordance with the Community Guidelines on State Aid for Environmental Protection (2008/C82/01) and th create a conducive investment environment for new projects.
Reference costs are the basis for determining prices for guaranteed purchase and for the level of operating support. Reference costs are indicative costs of generating electricity for an individual representative group and size of generating plant.
Support is financial aid for electricity production in RES generating plants, where the costs of producing electricity exceed the price that can be obtained for it on the electricity market.
Support comprises:
- Guaranteed purchase of electricity (if guarantees of origin are in place, RES/CHP Support buys net electricity at guaranteed prices set out in the Decree)
- Financial aid for current operations (if guarantees of origin are in place, and costs for producing energy are greater than the price that can be obtained on the electricity market). Operating support is the difference between the reference cost of producing electricity in individual RES generating plants and the reference price of electricity.
Pursuant to Article 64.n of the Energy Act (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No 27/07 and 70/08) the Government of the Republic of Slovenia issues:
Type of generatrion | Power Capacity | Operational Support €/MWh | Guaranteed |
|---|---|---|---|
Hydro PP | < 50 kW | 105,47 | 49,57 |
< 1 MW | 92,61 | 36,71 | |
< 5 MW | 82,34 | 23,84 | |
max. 10 MW | - | 23,84 | |
max. 125 MW | - | 18,07 | |
Wind Power | < 5 MW | 95,38 | 43,38 |
max. 10 MW | - | 43,38 | |
max. 125 MW | - | 30,84 | |
PV (attached to buildings) | < 50kW 1) | 415,42 2) 477,78 3) | 358,26 2) 420,58 3) |
< 1 MW 1) | 380,02 2) 437,03 3) | 322,82 2) 379,83 3) | |
< 5 MW 1) | 315,36 2) 362,67 3) | 256,21 2) 303,52 3) | |
max. 10 MW 1) | - | 256,21 2) 303,52 3) | |
max. 125 MW 1) | - | 215,71 2) 257,82 3) | |
PV (self-standing structures) | < 50 kW 1) | 390,42 | 333,22 |
< 1 MW 1) | 359,71 | 302,51 | |
< 5 MW 1) | 289,98 | 230,83 | |
max. 10 MW 1) | - | 230,83 | |
max. 125 MW 1) | - | 204,22 | |
Geothermal PP | < 50kW | 152,47 | individual decision |
< 5 MW | 152,47 | 92,67 | |
< 10 MW | - | 92,67 | |
< 125 MW | - | individual decision | |
Wood Biomass | < 50 kW | individual decision | individual decision |
< 1 MW | 224,35 | 165,20 | |
< 5 MW | 167,43 | 107,63 | |
max. 10 MW | - | 107,63 | |
max. 125 MW | - | individual decision | |
Biogas (sludge) | < 50 kW | 85,84 | 26,04 |
< 1 MW | 74,42 | 14,62 | |
< 5 MW | 66,09 | 6,94 | |
max. 10 MW | - | 6,94 | |
Biogas (landfills) | < 50 kW | 99,33 | 39,53 |
< 1 MW | 67,47 | 7,67 | |
< 5 MW | 61,67 | 2,52 | |
max. 10 MW | - | 2,52 | |
Biogas (biodegradable waste) | < 50 kW | 139,23 | - |
< 1 MW | 139,23 | 80,08 | |
< 5 MW | 129,15 | 69,35 | |
max. 10 MW | - | 69,35 | |
1) tariffs are reduced by 7 % annually 2) on building 3) integrated in façade, windows | |||
Uniform annual prices and uniform annual premiums do not include VAT. It is foreseen that the prices will be changed once a year with government decree, taking into account the inflation and other relevant factors.
Support for investment
- Tax exemption of the CO2-Tax (13 €/t CO2) of up to 40 % of the investment eligible for subsidy. Eligible are enterprises operating combined heat and power installations (minimum primary energy saving of 5%), measures for energy efficiency in industry (minimum CO2 reduction of 5 %), replacement of fossil energy sources by renewable energy sources, and energy efficiency measures in buildings (minimal energy savings of 15%).
- For Households, subsidies of the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning are available through annual tenders, which are open until all funds are exploited, or until the end of the respective year, for he investments, e.g., in solar systems, heat pumps, or biomass heating systems. The nonrepayable subsidy amounts to up to 40% of the cost of the main parts of the subsidized measure
- Companies can also apply for subsidies at the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning (also through annual tenders, which are open until all funds are exploited, or until the end of the respective year) for solar systems for water heating, heat pumps for warm water and space heating, for geothermal installations as well as autonomous systems for electricity generation (solar, wind). The subsidies amount to 20-50% of the investment costs. Biomass boilers are subsidized with 20%, under certain conditions with up to 60%.
- Also from the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, there are annual tenders for funds to develop energy concepts and feasibility studies in the area of renewable energy, energy efficiency and combined heat and power.
- Attractive loans for environmental and RES projects are available at the Environmental Fund of Slovenia.
