Country Review

SLOVENIA

In Slovenia, Ministry of the Environment, Spacial Planning and Energy – its Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia (ARSO), is in charge of all activities regarding energy policy and CO2 and greenhouse gasses in general. Slovenia is one of the energy intensive countries. In 2002, it needed about 74% more primary energy per one million Euro GDP than EU. Yet, the conditions are improving. Primary energy consumption was about 270 PJ in 2002. The largest share goes to liquid fuels (about 35%), followed by nuclear energy (about 21%), solid fuels (24%), natural gas (12%)and renewable sources (8%). Trend of the last years for crude oil and petroleum derivates consumption is slightly decreasing, while the consumption of nuclear energy and solid fuels is increasing. The only fossil fuel available in Slovenia is coal (brown coal and lignite). In future these will be intended only for use in 4 thermo power plants. Liquid fuels and natural gas are completely imported. The total petroleum derivatives consumption in 2001 was 2.3 million of tones. About 38 % of electricity production in 2002 goes to nuclear power plant, 37% to thermo power plants, 21% to hydro power plants and about 4% to industry cogeneration and other sources. Electricity production is increasing in the 1992-2002 period. According to EU directives, the Slovenian electricity and natural gas market were opened for all installations above certain threshold and 100% opening from mid 2007. In other markets, the state administrative price control is gradually decreasing.

In 2002, total greenhouse gasses emission accounted for 20,383 Mt CO2 eq , the share of CO2 being about 80%. The shares of CO2 eq in 2002 by sectors were as follows: energy sector 79%, agriculture 10%, waste 5%, industrial processes 5% and solvents and other products less than 1%. Almost exclusive source included in the energy sector is fuel combustion. In Slovenia, four thermo power plants operate with their total emission 6,3 Mt/year of CO2, the contribution of the largest one being 4,7 Mt/year.

In accordance with the Kyoto protocole for reduction of the emission of greenhouse gasses, the Slovenian commitment for the period 2008-2012 is 8% reduction (appx. 19 Mt/year). The Ministry has issued strategy measures and a short-term action plan for reducing greenhouse gasses emission by introducing specific measures.