Šoštanj, 5 March 2026 – Today, the management of Holding Slovenske elektrarne (HSE) and the Mayor of the Municipality of Šoštanj signed a letter of intent and an agreement on compensation for the restrictive effects of a state project in relation to the planned Družmirje floating solar power plant. The documents are an important step towards a transparent and responsible implementation of one of the key green transition projects in the Savinja-Šalek region.
The Družmirje project is planned as a floating solar power plant on the surface of Lake Družmirje, which was created as a result of mining activities. With a planned rated capacity of up to 130 MW, it will be one of the largest projects of this type in this part of Europe. It will significantly increase electricity production from renewable sources in Slovenia, and, together with other green transition projects, strengthen the energy resilience of the country as a whole. The spearhead of new energy project development and low-carbon solutions in the Savinja-Šalek region is HSE SaŠa, whose task is to connect investments in renewable energy sources, electricity storage facilities, and other modern energy technologies that will support the stable economic transformation of the region.
The agreement signed today regulates mutual rights and obligations regarding the payment of annual compensation due to the estimated opportunity costs incurred by the Municipality in connection with the placement and operation of the Družmirje floating solar power plant. The letter of intent defines the commitments framework of HSE regarding the co-financing of the Lake Družmirje area planning, which will be functionally linked to the investment and provided for in the NSP or DMSP. In addition, they foresee examining the possibility of establishing a model of community self-sufficiency or other forms of local community involvement that would enable the residents of Šoštanj to utilise electricity produced by the Družmirje floating solar power plant. This makes the project more than just an energy investment, as it also expands the space for active local community involvement in the green transition.
“The HSE Group is a key spearhead of the green transition in the Slovenian energy sector. This is also reflected in our development guidelines, which will significantly strengthen the resilience of the electricity system,” pointed out the CEO of HSE, Dr Tomaž Štokelj. “Our focus is on the construction of new renewable energy sources with an emphasis on solar, hydro, and wind energy, the construction of energy storage facilities, and the development of modern energy solutions for end users. The energy location in the TEŠ area has great potential for further development, and the floating solar power plant on Lake Družmirje is an important step in the transformation of the energy sector, as it will encourage and enable the implementation of other development projects at this location. I am pleased that, through open and constructive dialogue, we have reached the signing of the agreement and letter of intent. Regular dialogue with the local community and compliance with all environmental and spatial standards remains our commitment for the future.”
The COO of HSE, Uroš Podobnik, stressed the significance of cooperation with the Municipality: “Today’s signing confirms that, through regular, open, and transparent dialogue, investors and local communities can jointly develop projects that benefit both the region and the broader society. When implementing demanding energy projects, mutual understanding and timely coordination of expectations and interests are key.
I am convinced that the Družmirje floating solar power plant is not merely a new production facility but an important development lever for the entire area. Therefore, HSE believes that together we will successfully implement a number of important energy projects in Šoštanj, which will contribute to the development of the region’s economy and improve the quality of life of the residents of the Municipality of Šoštanj.”
Boris Goličnik, Mayor of the Municipality of Šoštanj: “The Municipality of Šoštanj is facing a challenging but significant transformation period. For decades, our area has been tightly connected with the energy sector, bearing the brunt of electricity supply in Slovenia. Today, as the region faces the phase-out of coal and transition to new development models, it is particularly important that changes are implemented responsibly, thoughtfully, and in cooperation with the local community.
The signing of the agreement and letter of intent is an important step in this direction. With it, the Municipality has established a framework that recognises the special status of our area and provides compensation for the restrictive effects of the state project. Both documents also create opportunities for further development in the Lake Družmirje area and the Municipality.
It is crucial for us that all the development projects that will shape the future of the Šalek Valley take into account the interests of the people who live here, in addition to the country’s energy goals. Therefore, in our discussions with HSE, we insisted on solutions that would also bring direct benefits to the local community.
I believe that through open dialogue, mutual respect, and a responsible approach, we can find ways to foster a successful green transition in the region, while ensuring development opportunities and a high-quality living environment for our residents.”
Public Relations and Marketing Communication Department of HSE
Municipality of Šoštanj
