National Economy
The population of the Republic of Slovenia is approximately 2.08 million people[1]. In 2021, 100% of the people in this Southeast European country had access to electricity[2].
In 2021, Slovenia’s economy was ranked 84th in the world in gross domestic product (GDP)[3]. The country’s economy is dependent on the export[4] of packaged medicaments, cars, motor vehicle parts, vaccines, and electrical lighting.
Environment Policies
In 2009, Slovenia as a member of the European Union (EU) committed to the “Renewable Energy Directive,” which requires each country to use renewable energy for 20% of its total energy needs by 2020 and 27% by 2030.
In 2016, the Slovenia as a member of the European Union (EU) signed the “Paris Climate Agreement”[5]. The EU committed to a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emission by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
Power Generation Capabilities
In 2021, state-owned utility[6] Elektro-Slovenija used nuclear power (36.5 %), renewable energy (34.1 %), coal (25.1 %), gas (4.2 %) and oil (0.1 %) to generate electricity in Slovenia. Hydropower is the dominant type of renewable energy used to generate electricity in Slovenia.
Recent renewable energy projects in Slovenia include:
- 1,000 MW Solar Projects – In July 2022, Slovenia’s Ministry of Infrastructure announced plans to add utility scale photovoltaic capacity projects over the next three years. The ministry is working the national grid operator ELES and distribution system operator SODO to implement the program.
- 6 MW Solar + Energy Storage Project – In June 2022, Slovenian utility, HESS commissioned a solar plus pumped hydropower energy storage project at the Brežice hydroelectric plant, located approximately 60 miles southeast of the capital, Ljubljana.
Conclusions
Slovenia imports fossil fuels (natural gas, oil, and natural gas) for power generation, heating, and transportation. In 2020, Slovenia spent[7] U.S. $1.36 Billion just for imported refined petroleum.
In 2021, Slovenia used fossil fuels to generate 29.4 % of the nation’s electricity. In 2020, Russia provided 81.0% and 25.9% of Slovenia’s natural gas and petroleum products[8], respectively.
On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, resulting in the United States, Canada, and the European Union placing embargos on Russian exports. The international price for crude oil has increased by over 50% from May 2021 to May 2022.
Slovenia has significant undeveloped renewable energy resources, including hydropower, solar, wind, and biomass. Slovenia is now fast tracking renewable projects as fossil fuel prices soar.
Jack Kerfoot
Website – “Our Energy Conundrum”
Jack Kerfoot is a scientist, energy expert, and author of the book FUELING AMERICA, An Insider’s Journey and articles for The Hill, one of the largest independent political news sites in the United States. He has been interviewed on over 100 radio and television stations from New York City to Los Angeles on a wide range of energy topics.
[1] Slovenia Population (2022) – World Population Review, November 1, 2022
[2] The World Bank Group, Access to Electricity (% of Population) – Slovenia
[3] Gross Domestic Product By Country 2021 – Worldometer
[4] The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) – Slovenia
[5] Carbon Brief – “2015: Tracking Country Climate Pledges”
[6] Our World In Data, Slovenia: Energy Country Profile by Hanna Ritchie and Max Roser
[7] The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) – Slovenia Imports
[8] Republic of Slovenia Statistical Office, 13 May 2022