Slovenian Minister of Infrastructure Jernej Vrtovec said that the country plans to complete coal phase -out in its electricity generation by 2033.
Minister Vrtovec explained that this is the optimal year when Slovenia can also provide enough funding for the region’s restructuring. In the first phase, the country can receive around 240 million euros from the European Commission. He added that the Government has prepared a strategy to provide 5,000 jobs for people employed in coal- fired power plants and the Velenje coalmine.
Slovenia’s largest operational coal-fired power plant is Sostanj, whose units 5 and 6 have combined installed capacity of 945 MW. It recorded a loss of about 250 million euros in 2020, and with the price of CO2 emissions approaching 65 euros/ton, the losses will only continue to accumulate, making the plant’s operation unsustainable.
Slovenia also operates the 123 MW coal-fired plant in Ljubljana, which is providing thermal energy for the capital’s district heating system.
