(Zagorje ob Savi, 6 August 2025) – Today, the Mayor of the Municipality of Zagorje ob Savi and the management of Holding Slovenske elektrarne (HSE) signed the contract on the establishment of the building right and easement in order to install a solar power plant at the location of Kamnolom Zagorje, a closed non-hazardous waste landfill, the grounds of which are owned by the Municipality. With the contract, HSE also undertakes to sell 10 per cent of the electricity generated annually by the newly built solar power plant to the Municipality of Zagorje ob Savi at cost price. The concluded contract is yet another example of efficient cooperation between the investor, HSE, and a local community in Zasavje when siting solar power plants.
Once a traditional coal region, Zasavje is a strategic energy location that plays a significant role in the decarbonisation of Slovenia. Since 2022, one of the largest solar power plants in Slovenia, a 3MW Prapretno SPP, has been operating at the closed landfill in Prapretno near Hrastnik. A capacity of almost 10MW will be obtained after the anticipated expansion. With the contract concluded today between the Municipality of Zagorje ob Savi and HSE, the latter obtained a building right to install a new solar power plant in Zasavje with all the pertaining infrastructure and equipment. To ensure the flexibility of production resources, the contract also allows the installation of a battery storage unit.
On the basis of a public call published on the website of the Municipality of Zagorje ob Savi, HSE was selected as the most favourable bidder for the allocation of the building right and easement. The contract, signed today by Matjaž Švagan, Mayor of the Municipality of Zagorje ob Savi, Dr Tomaž Štokelj, Chief Executive Officer of HSE, and Uroš Podobnik, Chief Operating Officer of HSE, also binds HSE, as the investor in the new solar power plant, to sell 10 per cent of the electricity generated annually by the new solar power plant to the Municipality at cost price or pay out an appropriate financial compensation.
The anticipated capacity of the solar power plant, which the investor plans to install within 12 months of the establishment of conditions for building, is up to 1.4MW. The plant will be situated at the location of the closed landfill, Kamnolom Zagorje, where the operator is carrying out the measures prescribed after closing.
Dr Tomaž Štokelj, Chief Executive Officer of HSE: “The HSE Group is the spearhead of the green transition of the Slovenian energy sector, which is particularly based on the construction of new renewable electricity sources and flexible sources. With its energy tradition, the Zasavje region is certainly one of the major partners of the HSE Group in attaining the set objectives. Good cooperation with the municipalities has already resulted in specific projects in Trbovlje and Hrastnik and we are now extending our cooperation to Zagorje ob Savi in order to give new purpose to a once degraded area by installing a solar power plant and a battery storage unit. Today’s signing of the contract in Zagorje ob Savi thus represents another step forward towards attaining Slovenia’s set objectives.”
Uroš Podobnik, Chief Operating Officer of HSE: “Among all the new investments of the HSE Group in energy infrastructure, the projects taking place in Zasavje are currently at the forefront. This is, in particular, the result of efficient cooperation with the local communities and the belief their leaders show in the importance of decarbonisation. As a strategic energy location, Zasavje offers numerous investment opportunities for the future, thereby ensuring a reliable, and particularly, sustainable electricity supply for its residents, and I am pleased that HSE will be able to play an active role in this.”
Matjaž Švagan, Mayor of the Municipality of Zagorje ob Savi: “For decades, the Municipality of Zagorje ob Savi has been actively investing in more efficient energy use and the development of renewable energy sources. We are currently completing an important investment in the installation of solar power plants on public buildings, of which the total installed power amounts to 0.5 MWp. The granting of a building right for an abandoned landfill is an opportunity for our municipality, since we will be able to revitalise the degraded area and simultaneously obtain the right to purchase energy from renewable sources at a more favourable price. Today’s signing of the contract is also symbolic, as we clearly express our commitment to sustainable development and green transition together with HSE. This project proves that we believe in a future that is based on the implementation of renewable energy sources and joint efforts for a cleaner environment. We know that such projects present key steps in reducing our carbon footprint, promoting the local economy and generating a healthier and more sustainable environment for all residents of the Municipality of Zagorje ob Savi.”
