Slovenia’s gas transmission network is projected to handle around 10 TWh of natural gas in 2025, reflecting a 5 percent increase in consumption during the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2024. Several large-scale investments are underway to boost both domestic transmission capacity and cross-border transit potential. Plinovodi CEO Marjan Eberlinc noted that supply reliability has remained stable despite geopolitical tensions and EU restrictions on Russian imports following the war in Ukraine. Consumers in Slovenia have not experienced disruptions, although the network’s structure has shifted in recent years. While international transit has nearly disappeared, domestic demand is gradually increasing, and natural gas continues to serve as a transitional energy source in the country’s green shift.
A recent survey of industrial users highlighted the ongoing importance of natural gas in Slovenia’s economy. Sixteen percent of respondents expect their gas consumption to rise in the coming years, while 65 percent anticipate stable usage. Thirty percent are already exploring alternatives such as renewable gases. Notably, 80 percent of businesses reported that gas remains essential for their technological processes, emphasizing its role as a backbone of industrial activity.
Plinovodi plans to invest around 30 million euros in 2025. Key projects include the expansion of the Ajdovščina compressor station, upgrades at the Vrtojba metering and regulation station, and the construction of a new pipeline between Ajdovščina and Lucija to supply the broader coastal region. Work is also progressing on strengthening the gas interconnection with Croatia, which will enable annual flows equivalent to Slovenia’s entire domestic demand.
At the same time, Plinovodi is preparing the network for the future integration of renewable gases and hydrogen. The system currently supports up to 2 percent hydrogen blending, in line with EU directives. Under its Sustainability Strategy, adopted in 2024 and now under revision, the company plans to launch a pilot project to inject hydrogen into the transmission network by the end of the decade. Studies are also underway to upgrade infrastructure to carry larger volumes of hydrogen and gradually shift toward renewable gas supplies from both domestic and cross-border sources.
