Figures

So far, in Slovenia we have been able to use a mere 3,970 GWh per annum or 43 percent of available renewable water resources as the cleanest source of power generation. It is estimated that annual consumption of electricity will grow by two percent, while peak demand is expected to grow by 1.95 percent per annum. By 2020 annual electricity consumption in Slovenia will be about 16,000 GWh with peak output of 2,600 MW. Consequently every year our capacities should be increased by approximately 5,000 GWh. In addition, some 700 MW worth of power generation capacities, which generated 2,400 GWh of electricity in 2002, should be closed down by 2020 due to the end of their useful life. This would necessitate increased imports of electricity, which would result in a much greater dependency of Slovenian economy on foreign suppliers and thus in the weakening of our negotiating position in the marketplace.

Gross energy potential of Slovenian watercourses: 19,400 GWh per annum. However, only 9,100 GWh per annum can be technically exploited, of which 7,000 – 8,500 GWh would be economically viable.

Present total output of Slovenian hydropower plants: 819 MW. On the other hand, the proposed hydropower plants on the Lower Sava river will generate 720 GWh of power with the total output of 187 MW, which represents 21 percent of the total power generated by Slovenian hydropower plants. The Lower Sava river chain will account for 22 percent of the total output covering 6 percent of the total Slovenian electricity consumption.