The Slovenian government is re-evaluating the proposed Mokrice hydropower plant project, a crucial development in the country’s renewable energy landscape. The Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy has initiated an assessment to determine if the benefits of electricity generation from renewable sources can outweigh the environmental concerns associated with the project. This renewed review comes in response to a 2023 ruling by the Administrative Court, which invalidated previous governmental decisions due to procedural errors.
This reassessment forms part of the integrated permitting process necessary for obtaining a construction permit for Mokrice and its related infrastructure. As it stands, HPP Mokrice is set to be the fifth and final installation in the lower Sava river cascade, joining existing facilities such as Bostanj, Blanco, Krsko, and Brezice.
The project’s timeline has faced significant setbacks; initially slated for completion in 2018, it has been stalled by various spatial planning issues and regulatory disputes. In 2022, a prior government administration classified electricity production from this plant as a matter of public interest, which aimed to push the project forward. However, this decision was overturned following a legal challenge from the Slovenian Fish Research Society, which cited misapplications of law and procedural inconsistencies.
Mokrice has become a contentious subject among stakeholders. Environmental advocates express concerns that even with proposed mitigation measures, the hydropower facility could adversely affect the delicate ecosystem at the confluence of the Krka, Sava, and Sotla rivers. In contrast, the project developer, Hidroelektrarne na spodnji Savi (HESS), argues that Mokrice is vital for enhancing Slovenia’s energy independence and ensuring optimal performance of the lower Sava hydropower system. Furthermore, national energy planning documents have underscored Mokrice’s strategic significance within Slovenia’s broader energy framework.
