Slovakia’s priorities for its energy transition have so far been based on its goals of energy independence from Russia, and decreasing its emissions. But as a part of the EU, it should also be promoting the transition to renewable energy. How could this go forward? Veronika Jurcova explains. Contact online >>
Slovakia’s priorities for its energy transition have so far been based on its goals of energy independence from Russia, and decreasing its emissions. But as a part of the EU, it should also be promoting the transition to renewable energy. How could this go forward? Veronika Jurcova explains.
Like other post-Soviet countries, Slovakia has been highly dependent on energy imports from Russia. This dependency was determined by the east-west orientation of its oil and gas infrastructure. After two gas crises with Russia, however, several measures, such as reverse flow of gas and the construction of more north-south interconnectors have been implemented to overcome this energy security challenge. Slovakia''s energy dependence on Russia is thus gradually decreasing. The energy mix is beginning to diversify, with balanced representation of coal, nuclear, natural gas and a slowly rising share of renewable sources energy sources.
The country''s liberalization of the national gas and electricity markets has been rather slow, mostly because of insufficient political incentives. In the gas sector, the main debate has largely focused on security issues and the traditional transit role of Slovakia. The country''s gas transit route capacity is more than 15 times higher than the domestic gas consumption. Nevertheless, only half of this capacity has been used, and with the construction of the Nord Stream pipeline, the transit role of Slovakia is decreasing, as are the revenues from this gas transit.
One of the biggest hurdles in the liberalization of the Slovak electricity sector is the dominant role of nuclear power, producing almost 15000 GWh covering 77 % of the total national electricity production. Moreover, two new reactors, each of them with an installed capacity of 440 MW, have been in construction since 2008. Nuclear power will, therefore, continue to play a dominant role in the future outlook.
Energy policy in Slovakia is prone to ideological and politically strategic considerations rather than market-oriented ones. One of the most worrying developments is the interference of state and private interests. Most of the major energy companies are publicly owned, as it is the case of the dominant gas market player Slovak Gas Company (SPP), which was re-nationalized in 2014 and is now fully state controlled. Energy security is still one of the major concerns, and the country continues to focus on gas imports and further development of its nuclear power, which has received unprecedented political support across the whole political spectrum.
Slovakia is on track for reaching its 2020 targets, however mainly due to its low ambition. The main challenges Slovakia faces in pushing forward its energy transition forward are low energy efficiency, under-pricing of environmental resources, high electricity prices and waste management, as the European Commission sums up.
The Slovak 2020 emissions reduction target of 13% will be easily reached, and overall emissions are expected to decrease by 24% compared to 2005. But the most problematic area remains the transport sector, in which the emissions are rising. The main reason for this optimistic outlook lies partly in the progress in energy efficiency and renewable energy, but above all in the negotiated emissions reduction target that has actually allowed an increase in emissions (reasoned as a "right to develop"), as the study of the Slovak Academy of Sciences points out.
The share of renewable energy is coming closer to its 14% target and is mostly covered from Slovakia’s traditional clean energy sector based on large hydropower plants. Although there is a steep increase in the number of small hydropower plants (incentivized mostly by subsidies), their installed capacity is rather limited and their environmental impact on river ecosystems quite negative. Given the natural conditions, wind power potential is limited, while the shares of photovoltaic and biomass are growing. A small step towards decentralization has been the introduction of the „Green for households" program that supports heat and electricity production from small renewables systems.
As a whole, Slovakia has not managed to exploit its full renewable energy potential. In political debates, renewables have been associated with instability, high costs and intermittancy. Apart from the lack of political willingness and the unfavorable natural conditions for the growth of renewables, one other major problem is related to the capacity of the electricity transmission lines.
Moreover, the government still subsidizes coal power plants in order to protect jobs in vulnerable regions. This political and regulatory mind-set has shaped the dynamics of the Slovak energy sector. As a result, current policies and price regulation lead to the highest electricity prices for industry in the region.
The lack of political will to change the current status quo is clearly visible in the current negotiation position of Slovakia on the EU Winter Energy Package. Slovakia opposed several measures related to the proposed EU target of 27% share of renewable energy by 2030. The government was against the minimum share of renewables based on the 2020 national targets, enabling access for companies from other EU Member States to national support schemes, supporting ''prosumers,'' or measures to limit the administrative burdens.
So far, Slovak energy policy developments have been reactive to either geopolitical threats or pressure from EU legislation. Low hanging fruits have been collected. However, further progress in energy transition will require more effort, although the Slovak position towards the Winter Energy Package does not bring much optimism in this respect. The construction of interconnections with neighboring countries in both electricity sector and gas sectors has improved to a certain extent the conditions for liberalization. Modernization of the grid is the next essential step.
The main problem however is that Slovakia lacks a long term vision and strategy. There is some progress in terms of specific policies and projects, but the Slovak government should be more ambitious in its goals. To fulfill those, Slovakia needs a combination of well-targeted policies that are reasonably using EU funds together with private investments. Last but not least, the government needs to raise public support for energy transition policies.
Veronika Jurcova is an international project manager at South Moravian Innovation Center. She is responsible for the Intelligent Energy and Smart Cities agenda.
If Poland came off its coal addiction, it would need pumped hydro storage for its wind farms. Slovakia has the mountains to offer this service to its neighbours.
Compared to to Slovakia, German emissions per capita are almost 50% higher. Why complain about Slovakia??
Slovakia’s National Energy and Climate Plan sets an ambitious target of achieving a 19.2% share of renewable energies in gross final energy consumption by 2030.[1] To ensure the security and affordability of electricity and heat generation, the state is poised to support renewable energy sources that do not incur significant additional costs for end consumers. The government’s strategy favors the heat recovery from animal and vegetable production waste in biogas plants and is keen on accelerating the use of bio-methane produced from wood, organic waste, and plant residues. This approach aims to circumvent competition with agriculture and food production.
By 2030, Slovakia expects a significant increase in renewable energy consumption, amounting to approximately 1,972 ktoe (or 22.9 TWh). The country’s strategy includes a diverse mix of renewable energy sources with allocated installed capacities by 2030 as follows: Hydro power (1,755 MW), Photovoltaics (1,200 MW), Wind energy (500 MW), Biomass (200 MW), Biogas/biomethane (200 MW), and Geothermal (4 MW). Biomass currently dominates electricity generation from renewables, followed by biogas, solar, and hydropower.[2]
Despite its high potential, wind energy remains largely untapped in Slovakia due to its perceived instability and regulatory hurdles. Since 2009, the construction of wind power plants has almost complitely halted, with two small wind parks existing in Cerová and Myjava. The regulatory and legal framework continues to pose challenges for the installation of smaller wind turbines for household use. Meanwhile, two government-approved hydropower plants are on hold, with commissioning not expected before 2025.[3]
The Vah and Orava rivers, particularly in the areas before Stary Hrad and after Kralovianski Meander, including the Oravka tunnel, present significant hydropower potential. Power plants situated in these areas with a capacity over 30MW are considered extremely profitable due to the low cost per installed megawatt. The strategic locations along these rivers provide optimal conditions for harnessing hydropower efficiently.
According to a study by Durkansky et. al.[4] small hydropower plants (SHPPs) present a viable solution to harness the potential of small rivers, typically serving as a seasonal energy resource. The flows of streams on which SHPPs are set up tend to fluctuate, often depending on weather conditions and seasonal changes, making them less ideal for consistent year-round electricity production. However, by converting electricity to hydrogen, the surplus energy generated from these rivers can be stored and utilized later, addressing the issue of seasonal variability. Moreover, as a decentralized energy source, SHPPs can be installed in remote areas, fostering development and promoting energy self-sufficiency, particularly in rural settings.
By leveraging the potential of smaller rivers, Slovakia can capitalize on SHPPs to stimulate economic development in undeveloped regions. This approach not only provides an opportunity for creating new jobs but also accelerates economic growth in areas with significant population segments. The integration of SHPPs into Slovakia’s energy mix could be a strategic move towards enhancing the country’s energy landscape, offering a sustainable and efficient method to increase renewable energy production while contributing to local development and environmental conservation.
High energy prices and poor perspective for the future have led to a surge in the adoption of photovoltaic energy, primarily driven by private companies. This shift is largely an effort to reduce reliance on Russian gas. Recent times have seen numerous private entities, ranging from small to mid-size firms and energy-intensive factories like Chemosvit Svit – a textile fibers producer, investing in photovoltaic installations. Noteworthy is the investment in a €30 million solar park near Štúrovo in southern Slovakia, designed to produce 30 megawatts daily, sufficient to support several factories.
The inclination towards solar energy is not confined to corporations but extends to households as well, as noted by Ján Karaba, director of the Slovak Association of the Photovoltaic Industry. This shift commenced prior to the Russian invasion. The cost-effectiveness of solar energy is evident when comparing the costs of electricity from small and larger solar installations – approximately €100 per megawatt-hour – to those from traditional sources, around €170-180 per megawatt-hour. Despite a 20-30% increase in the prices of photovoltaic panels since autumn, this rise is modest relative to the general escalation in electricity prices.[5]
Companies are increasingly prepared to finance green electricity sources, with expectations of state support, as stated by Chemosvit CEO Jaroslav Mervart. In response, the economy ministry is devising strategies to subsidize part of these costs. Zsolt Bindics, a co-investor in the Štúrovo park, highlighted Hungary’s more substantial investments in green power plants compared to Slovakia, criticizing the Slovak government’s inadequate communication regarding the release of additional capacities for entrepreneurs.[6]
The Slovakia Program for the Just Transformation Fund has endorsed a proposal to designate the geothermal energy project in the Kosice Basin as a national priority, enabling it to receive funding of €56.1 million. This funding aims to facilitate the supply of geothermal heat to the Kosice region by 2026.[7] The decision was made by the Monitoring Committee of the Commission for the Just Transformation Fund, an integral part of the Slovakia Program, which allocates a total of €441 million to support regions transitioning to a greener economy.[8]
The initiative, led by Minister of Investments, Regional Development, and Informatization Peter Balík, addresses Slovakia’s critical reliance on imported fossil fuels for heating. By endorsing the use of renewable energy sources, it aligns with the European Union’s commitments amidst the energy and climate crisis. Over the past two years, the Ministry has been collaborating with partners to enhance the geothermal potential of Kosice, aiming to reduce fossil fuel consumption and bolster energy self-sufficiency. The Kosice geothermal resource, one of Slovakia’s largest, has the potential to supply heat to 171,000 customers and reduce CO2 emissions by 54,000 tons annually.[9]
With the allocated funds, the project developer MH Teplarensky Holding and its partner GEOTERM KOSICE are set to advance the Kosice heating plant project. The total estimated cost for this endeavor is €88 million. The initiative not only aims to provide heating solutions but also to support agriculture and recreational activities through residual heat distribution along the heat pipe’s 15-kilometer route.[10]
Kosice Mayor Jaroslav Polacek highlights the long-standing recognition of the area’s geothermal resources, expressing optimism about the project’s progress towards providing ecological heat and establishing Kosice as a leader in geothermal energy utilization in Slovakia.[11] Additionally, a 2023 amendment to Slovakia’s “Act on Heating” proposes to streamline the construction of heating infrastructure using geothermal and other renewable sources.[12]
The commitment to geothermal energy in the Kosice region represents a significant step towards enhancing Slovakia’s energy independence and environmental sustainability. This initiative reflects an increasing trend towards sustainable and self-sufficient energy strategies that are essential for long-term economic and environmental stability.
The Mochovce nuclear power plant in Slovakia marked a significant milestone as its new unit was connected to the grid at 20% of its nominal power on January 31, 2023. Since then, the unit has undergone a series of tests and adjustments, gradually increasing its power output until it reached 90% capacity.[13] As reported by Slovenské elektrárne, the power plant has already generated over 150 GWh of electricity and is currently producing enough to meet the needs of approximately 750,000 households. The culmination of this testing phase will be running the unit continuously at 100% output for 144 hours.
The Mochovce plant, consisting of four VVER units, commenced construction of its first two units in 1982. Units 3 and 4 began construction in 1986 but experienced delays, halting in 1992. The first two units were completed and commenced operations in 1998 and 1999. A decade later, efforts to complete the remaining units resumed, with Unit 4 following a year or two behind Unit 3. Once fully operational, each unit is expected to supply 13% of Slovakia’s electricity needs.
Significant safety and security enhancements have been integrated into the final design of the new units, including improved aircraft impact protection and emergency management systems. These enhancements were influenced by the lessons learned from the Fukushima disaster.
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