The municipality of Celje has secured more than 1 million euros in non-repayable funding from Slovenia’s Ministry of Environment, Climate and Energy under the Recovery and Resilience Plan. The funds will be used to install solar power systems on 11 public buildings, including schools, kindergartens, the health center, the summer swimming pool, and the Z’dezele stadium.
The project is expected to generate approximately 1,462 MWh of clean electricity annually, resulting in savings of around 200,000 euros per year. Over the full operational lifetime of the equipment, total savings are projected to reach roughly 5 million euros. The 1.4 million-euro investment will be implemented by Celje-based company ECE, selected through a public tender. The contract also covers five years of maintenance, management of surplus and deficit electricity, and the operation of the city’s first energy community. Once operational, this community will integrate more than 40 public facilities.
City officials highlighted that the project is not only aimed at reducing costs but also at enhancing energy self-sufficiency and sustainability. By the end of November, when the project is scheduled to be completed, renewable energy is expected to cover about 15 percent of the electricity demand in Celje’s public buildings.
