Slovenia is set to develop its first floating solar power plant, Druzmirje, as part of efforts to support the energy transition in the Saleska region. Located near Velenje, the project aims to compensate for the upcoming closure of the coal-fired Šoštanj thermal power plant.
The project is currently in the spatial planning phase, with studies assessing its size, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact. These assessments are expected to be completed within a month and will guide negotiations with the municipality of Šoštanj. Slovenia’s state-owned energy company HSE has already proposed offering the municipality a share of the electricity generated and is considering a joint self-supply model for local households.
Project manager Simon Čižmek stated that the floating solar plant will cover up to half of Lake Družmirje’s surface, generating up to 140 GWh of electricity annually—enough to supply approximately 35,000 households. The municipality of Šoštanj will receive a portion of the electricity at a set price and retain full control over its use.
The installation, positioned between 150 and 400 meters from the shore, will be designed to maintain the lake’s ecological and chemical integrity, taking into account the needs of fish, birds, and other wildlife. The Družmirje floating solar power plant represents a major milestone for Šoštanj as it transitions towards a cleaner energy future.
