Renewable energy in Slovenia

Since its accession to the European Union in 2004, Slovenia has developed and seen through various action plans for increasing its share of renewable energy, and in turn reducing its carbon emissions. Today, Slovenia’s renewable energy share is roughly 15% ( in light of its 10% share in 2007), and the aim is to increase this to 25% by 2025, while also expanding other efforts in energy efficiency.

Since over 50% of Slovenia is covered by forests and heavily wooded areas, the most promising area of renewable energy development seems to be biomass. But potential for hydro is also strong and being developed along the way. There are already 40 small hydro units along the Sava and Soca rivers. Walking through urban areas and rural parts of the country one can also see solar collectors on the roofs of homes, businesses and public buildings. Slovenia pays for these investments through the use of a feed-in tariff that was introduced in 2004. The feed-in tariff and incentive payments encourage and help consumers and businesses to purchase these renewable energy systems. As a result, demand for solar energy technology has increased considerably among the Slovenian public.

Perhaps the most problematic point in Slovenia’s eco movement right now is their waste management. Waste recycling and recovery are still very low and Slovenia is also struggling with illegal dumping of waste. These issues are usually very difficult to solve, but there are clever ways of mobilizing people. In the spring of 2010 over 250.0000 Slovenians attended the biggest worldwide cleanup action to date, which was organized by the Ecology without Borders Organization. The project’s focus was to promote greater environmental awareness among the people of Slovenia, and to improve the legislation on waste. Legislation changes always require some time, but with 12% national participation, and 38.000 cubic meters of collected rubbish, it seems that Slovenia is doing its best to sort out the mess.