The HSE Group, the spearhead of Slovenia’s green transition, is already the largest electricity producer from renewable sources in Slovenia, a large proportion of which is generated from water. Our hydroelectric power plants on the Drava, the Soča and the Sava rivers generated 54% of the total electricity provided by the HSE Group in 2023 and over one third of the total electricity generated from water in Slovenia. Accelerated investment in renewable energy sources with a simultaneous decrease of the country’s import dependency is at the centre of all our development endeavours.
The HSE Group follows the main strategic guidelines of the state and the European Union in the field of sustainable development. Our activities are directed towards the implementation of investments in new production facilities which enable the exploitation of renewable sources and considerably reduce CO2 emissions per unit of generated electricity. In doing so, the energy potential of water plays an important role. One of the largest planned projects of the HSE Group is the construction of hydroelectric power plants on the middle section of the Sava River for which the procedure of siting is continuing through the national spatial plan in order to obtain a comprehensive building permit for three hydroelectric power plants (HPP Suhadol, HPP Trbovlje and HPP Renke) in 2025 and start the construction of HPP Suhadol in 2026. We are also planning the construction of two small hydroelectric power plants, i.e. sHPP Pesnica and sHPP Ravne, while the project documentation for Kozjak pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant is being supplemented, including the drafting of expert documentation in the environmental impact assessment procedure. The commencement of work is expected in 2027. Our hydroelectric power facilities are regularly maintained. The reconstruction of HPP Formin will commence in 2026 and the reconstruction of sHPP Ceršak will also be carried out.
Our companies, which manage hydroelectric power plants on the Drava, the Soča and the Sava, constantly observe the environmental requirements and sustainable development principles with regard to construction and energy utilisation of the water potential of our rivers. They ensure flood safety, suitable habitats and maintain passages for aquatic organisms, islands for birds, wetlands and aquatic habitats. Furthermore, they regularly maintain the energy infrastructure of the hydroelectric power plants and the embankments of rivers and canals. In the first four months of 2024, Dravske elektrarne Maribor will clean up a total of 35,000 cubic metres of debris which was deposited on the riverbed during last year’s catastrophic floods. In compliance with the awarded water right, Soške elektrarne Nova Gorica implements regular monitoring of watercourses and water infrastructure, carries out necessary maintenance work for the stability of embankments and cleans gravel deposits to ensure flood safety. In cooperation with the municipalities, the well-maintained surrounding areas of hydroelectric power plants also provide many possibilities and opportunities for tourism, fishing and recreation.
Numerous opportunities also arise in simultaneous exploitation of water and riparian surfaces for the generation of electricity. A 2.5 MW solar power plant is operating on the banks of HPP Zlatoličje, and the planned potential of solar power plants on the embankments of HPP Formin and HPP Zlatoličje is as much as 30 MW. This year, the SENG company will commence the installation of a 8.2 MW solar power plant at the location of the upper accumulation of the Avče pumped-storage hydro power plant in Kanalski Vrh. The installation of the first floating photovoltaic power plant in Slovenia is planned on Lake Družmirje in Velenje. The power plant will take up no more than half of the lake surface and its installed capacity will be about 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.
A reliable and competitive electricity supply, which is the central mission of the HSE Group, is a necessary prerequisite for successful functioning of the economy and society as a whole. In addition to increasing the proportion of electricity generated from renewable sources, new technological solutions are also needed to attain the required supply reliability in the use of energy and sources of flexibility, including the construction of a network of storage tanks and pumped-storage hydro power plants, which will become increasingly important for the provision of stability of the electricity network and reliability of supply at a time of an increased proportion of variable renewable energy sources.
Public Relations and Marketing Communication Department of the HSE Group
Dravske Elektrarne Maribor (DEM) operates eight large hydro power plants, five small hydro power plants and six solar power plants with a total capacity of more than 600 MW, annually producing an average of 2,831 GWh of electricity and supplying approximately 606,000 households in Slovenia. Soške Elektrarne Nova Gorica (SENG), which owns 22 small hydro power plants, five large hydro power plants and a pumped-storage hydro power plant, as well as a small solar power plant with a total capacity of 336 MW, produces an annual average of 756 GWh of electricity, which is enough to supply approximately 168,000 households in Slovenia. Hidroelektrarne na Spodnji Savi (HESS), in which HSE holds a 49% stake, operates four hydro power plants with a total capacity of 156 MW and an average annual production of 577 GWh of electricity, which enables the annual supply of 128,000 households in Slovenia.