The HSE Group is the spearhead of Slovenia’s green transition. The National Strategy for Coal Phase-out and Restructuring of Coal Regions in accordance with the Just Transition Principles imposes the preparation of alternative projects and new activities, which will enable further development of the Šalek Valley, its economy and tourism and will contribute to the welfare of local residents. Our plans are directed towards the development of advanced technologies by means of which electricity and thermal energy will be generated safely and reliably in the future, but also in a more environmentally friendly way than is the case today.

One of the projects with which this could be attained in the Šalek Valley is a floating solar power plant on Lake Družmirje. The power plant, which would present a significant development achievement of the town of Šoštanj, would be situated 150 to 200 metres from the shore in the western section and up to 400 metres from the shore in the south-western section. It would take up no more than half of the lake surface and its installed capacity would be about up to 140 MW. The floating solar power plant will be planned in such a way as to preserve the ecological and chemical status of Lake Družmirje, while also observing the ecological requirements of fish, birds and other animal species. The floating solar power plant will not cause harmful emissions and access to water will be enabled along the entire shore of the lake. Simultaneously with the installation of the floating solar power plant, the surrounding area of the lake will be arranged for the purposes of tourism, sport and recreation. A large section of Lake Družmirje and its entire shore will be intended for water and waterfront activities in the long term, with walking trails along the embankments. As we want the local public to be regularly and comprehensively informed about the project of the floating solar power plant, a special information spot will be established in the municipality for this purpose.

We know that every activity in the environment presents an encroachment. For the results of these activities to be positive, constructive cooperation of all the stakeholders is required. When planning and implementing energy projects, Holding Slovenske elektrarne (HSE), Termoelektrarna Šoštanj (TEŠ) and Premogovnik Velenje (PV) have been proactively, regularly and exemplary cooperating with the Municipality of Šoštanj throughout, and have made significant contributions to its budget. In 2023 alone, we contributed more than EUR 7 million and as much as EUR 37.3 million in the last six years from the payments made for building land, tax payments for pollution of the environment, mining concession payments and support to local associations and organisations in the form of sponsorships and donations. The funds were invested in the development of the municipality and improved living conditions of local residents. With material and financial donations, HSE, TEŠ and PV also actively helped local communities after the catastrophic floods that affected Slovenia and the Šalek Valley in August 2023.

The HSE Group thus plays an important role not only in ensuring the safe and reliable electricity supply of the country and the production of thermal energy for district heating of the Šalek Valley, but also in the development of the local environment. The energy industry provides jobs for the residents of the valley and a reliable source of electricity and thermal energy that is significantly cleaner than individual heating systems due to the central production. The fact that the HSE Group reduced carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by about 1,400,000 tonnes or 30% in the last decade and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxide (NO_x) emissions by 75% despite the operations of the only coal-fired power plant in Slovenia, i.e. Termoelektrarna Šoštanj, is not negligible. Projects such as the Družmirje floating solar power plant will contribute substantially to the attainment of carbon neutrality and, subsequently, a cleaner electricity supply for local residents.