Slovenia's dependency on energy imports
Slovenia is characterized by a significant dependency on energy imports due to its limited primary energy resources. The country's energy landscape is primarily composed of fossil fuels, particularly lignite, and nuclear power, alongside renewable sources like hydropower and biofuels. Notably, Slovenia imports much of its gas from Russia, Algeria, and Austria, highlighting its reliance on external sources for energy supply. The liberalization of the energy market in 1999 allowed for increased competition among electricity suppliers, enhancing consumer choice.
As of 2022, Slovenia's electricity generation is largely derived from nuclear power (41.1%) and hydropower (25%), with fossil fuels accounting for over 26% of installed generating capacity. The industrial sector is the largest consumer of energy, followed by residential and commercial sectors, indicating diverse energy needs across various domains. Hydropower plays a crucial role in the renewable energy mix, contributing significantly to the nation's electricity, while solar energy has seen notable growth due to supportive policy measures. Slovenia's energy strategy reflects a balance between meeting current energy demands and transitioning towards more sustainable sources, positioning it favorably within the EU context for renewable energy production.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Slovenia's dependency on energy imports
Official Name: Republic of Slovenia
Summary: Slovenia has limited energy resources, predominantly fossil fuels and hydropower, and is highly dependent on energy imports.
Slovenia has a diversified mix of energy sources, consisting mainly of fossil fuels and nuclear power, combined with renewable energy coming from hydropower and biofuels. Nevertheless, much of the country’s energy supply is provided through imports, with gas imports coming mainly from Russia, Algeria, and Austria. Until 1999, the electric companies in Slovenia were owned by the state. That year, however, with a newly adopted energy law, the energy markets in the country were liberalized, and a choice among the electricity suppliers became possible.
Slovenia generates its energy from hydropower, coal thermal, nuclear, and natural gas power plants. In addition, one combined heat and power (CHP) power plant also contributes to the energy system.
Production and Consumption
Slovenians consumed an average of about 6.746 megawatt-hours per capita as of 2022. Total final energy consumption in Slovenia increased steadily, for the most part, between 2000 and 2021. The main consumers, as of 2021, were the industrial (45 percent), residential (28.3 percent), commercial (24.7 percent), and transport (1.8 percent) sectors.
The country has limited primary energy resources. Electricity derived from coal, oil, and natural gas—with most of the oil and gas imported—comprised more than 26 percent of installed generating capacity in 2022, after nuclear power at 41.1 percent and hydropower at 25 percent.
Nonrenewable Energy Sources
Slovenia’s energy sector is dominated by fossil fuels and nuclear power. The country relies mainly on lignite (or brown coal) for electricity generation and heating. The only oil refinery was closed in 2000, leaving no other choice but to rely on imports. Natural gas has gained more attention, and its use has expanded rapidly; moreover, the gas distribution system puts the country in a good economic position as a transit country for natural gas.
Renewable Energy Sources
Renewable energy in Slovenia is dominated by hydropower, which provides about 25 percent of the country’s electricity production and represents about 94 percent of its renewable electricity generation. Hydroelectric power is generated at various hydropower plants and other facilities across the nation.
Other renewable resources contributing to the renewable energy mix are biomass and solar energy. Biomass accounted for about 2.2 percent of Slovenia's total installed capacity in 2022, while solar accounted for approximately 4.3 percent.
The solar energy sector in Slovenia experienced rapid growth due to the modified tariff policy adopted in mid-2009. The policy allowed large projects to benefit from financial incentives. The result of this policy was the installation of an additional 6.4 megawatts of capacity by the end of the year. In 2023, Slovenia's total installed capacity for solar power was 1,100 megawatts.
Slovenia’s supply of renewable energy shows high potential, positioning the country among the EU nations with the highest renewable energy shares of total energy production.
Bibliography
“Energy Efficiency Trends and Policy in Slovenia.” Energy 36, no. 4 (April 2011).
“Slovenia.” In Encyclopedia of Global Warming and Climate Change, edited by S. George Philander. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2008.
"Slovenia." CIA World Factbook, 30 July 2024, www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/slovenia. Accessed 7 Aug. 2024.
“Slovenia.” International Energy Agency, 2024, www.iea.org/countries/slovenia. Accessed 7 Aug. 2024.
“Slovenia.” U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2024, www.eia.gov/beta/international/country.cfm?iso=SVN. Accessed 7 Aug. 2024.