Nova Gorica/Kanalski Vrh, 4 June 2025 – The company, Soške elektrarne Nova Gorica (SENG), a part of the HSE Group, symbolically fed into the grid the first kilowatt hours from the solar power plant in Kanalski Vrh. At today’s solemn commissioning of the power plant, which is situated next to the upper reservoir of the Avče pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant, it was highlighted that the plant will annually generate some 3.3 GWh of electricity. The SENG company emphasised that the facility was sited in agreement with the local community.
Solar power plants are part of the development plans of SENG and the entire HSE Group which, as the spearhead of the green transition in Slovenia, is starting an extensive investment cycle in the expansion of electricity production from renewable green sources of energy. The investment in the first phase of the solar power plant in Kanalski Vrh amounted to EUR 2.2 million. It was financed from own resources and was also included in the support scheme of the Energy Agency of the Republic of Slovenia. The solar power plant, which is the first major one constructed under the auspices of the SENG company, was planned and sited based on regular and transparent dialogue and cooperation with the local community. It represents an example of good practice of siting an energy facility into a local environment.
A new detailed municipal spatial plan had to be drawn and adopted for the construction of the solar power plant. Together with the Municipality of Kanal ob Soči, the SENG company started preparing expert bases in mid-2021 and commenced the procedure of adopting the relevant detailed municipal spatial plan. The procedures, which included the participation of a broad array of stakeholders and expert public, were intensively harmonised and managed. Subsequently, the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Kanal ob Soči approved the detailed municipal spatial plan within two years, i.e. on 22 June 2023, thereby enabling the siting of the solar power plant in the area of the upper accumulation reservoir of the Avče pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant.
The adoption of the spatial document envisaged the entire development of the relevant area, including an energy and natural science park, arrangement of walking and cycling trails and other infrastructure important for local residents and visitors. With suitable and quality siting and development, the entire area, together with the pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant, the solar power plant and the energy educational park, will become a new distinctive feature of the landscape and will reflect the co-existence of nature and technological advancement.
“The first phase of the Kanalski Vrh solar power plant covers an area of two hectares and comprises 4,736 modules. Today, the 2.9 MW power plant released the first kilowatt hours into the grid and we are proud that, as an energy company, we are realising our business objectives as well as the objectives of the HSE Group and the Republic of Slovenia within the framework of the strategy of accelerated transition to produce electricity from renewable sources. The solar power plant is connected to the existing 20 KV power line,” said the Director General of SENG, Mitja Gorjan, at today’s ceremony, adding that the company’s development focuses on renewable energy sources. While in the past, its main emphasis was on water, the company is now actively expanding its activities to other renewable sources, particularly solar power. The exposure to sunlight of the Primorska region is exceptional, making it particularly suitable for such electricity generation. The Kanalski Vrh solar power plant represents an important milestone for the SENG company and a step towards the sustainable energy future of Slovenia.
After the completion of the second phase, which is anticipated at the end of 2026, the Kanalski Vrh solar power plant will have a total capacity of 8 MW.
Dr Tomaž Štokelj, the Chief Executive Officer of HSE, said: “Today’s commencement of the Kanalski Vrh solar power plant is another step towards the green transition, to which Slovenia and the HSE Group, as the spearhead of the green transition of the Slovenian energy sector, are committed. We already produce more than a half of all electricity from renewable sources in Slovenia and we wish to further enhance our leading role in this field. The construction of new power plants for electricity generation from renewable sources not only contributes to the meeting of environmental commitments, but also strengthens Slovenia’s resilience, since it increases our country’s self-sufficiency and reduces the need to import energy sources.
We have recently witnessed a growing opposition to the construction of new energy facilities for electricity production from renewable sources, but the Kanalski Vrh solar power plant is proof that such projects can end successfully if an open and transparent dialogue is conducted with the local community. We wish for such cooperation to become standard practice when siting energy facilities. I believe that the power plant, which we are symbolically starting up today, will be one in a string of “sunny” projects that result in benefits for everyone: electricity consumers, local communities, the environment and last, but not least, the whole of Slovenia.”
The Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy under Minister mag. Bojan Kumer is actively co-creating a future in which cleaner air, renewable energy sources and sustainable development will be part of our everyday lives. Minister Bojan Kumer is not only a herald of the green transition, but also a connector of people, ideas and solutions that lead us towards a greener, safer and self-sufficient Slovenia in terms of energy. He highlighted: “As I stand here today, in Kanalski Vrh graced by the sun, surrounded by nature and people who care about the future, I cannot hide a sincere feeling of gratitude. Not only as a Minister, but also as a person who believes in the power of community, cooperation and courage to make changes. In such places where the heartbeat of nature is particularly pronounced, the green transition obtains its true meaning. It’s more than an energy objective, it’s an expression of care for home, people and what we will leave to our children. Right here, it is confirmed that great things start with small, yet decisive steps – with faith in the common good.”
The Municipality of Kanal ob Soči is especially important for the SENG company. As many as four hydro power plants operate in this municipality, including the only pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Slovenia. This is the place where natural potential meets an engineering vision – where an almost 100-year-old story of responsible co-existence of people and nature is being written. The partnership between the municipality and the SENG company is an exceptional example of cooperation that is based on mutual trust, respect and a long-term view of the future. The Mayor of the Municipality of Kanal ob Soči, Miha Stegel, stressed: “We are pleased that new projects, such as this solar power plant, are being sited while paying attention to the local environment, the needs of the people and nature.”
The construction of the first solar power plant under the auspices of the SENG company is an important milestone in the development of the sustainable energy sector in Slovenia. With this project, the SENG company and the HSE Group confirm their commitment to the green transition and responsible management of the environment, and open new possibilities for the development of local communities and renewable energy sources in the future.
Additional information:
Martina Pavlin
[email protected]
