Ljubljana, 14 October 2025 – The HSE Group, the largest producer of electricity from renewable sources in Slovenia, continues to actively support the development of the sustainable energy sector and local communities. In recent weeks, the companies HSE, ECE and Energija plus have concluded several contracts on the installation of new solar power plants on the roofs of public buildings in the municipalities of Zagorje ob Savi, Celje, Šoštanj, Velenje, Ormož, Ptuj, Murska Sobota, Ljutomer, Hoče and several other municipalities in north-eastern Slovenia that participated in the consortia for the drawing of funds. The projects, co-financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility, represent an important step forward in the increase of the municipalities’ energy independence and the realisation of the green transition objectives.

Zagorje ob Savi: A solar power plant at the site of a former landfill

The Municipality of Zagorje ob Savi and Holding Slovenske elektrarne concluded a contract on the establishment of the building right and easement to install a solar power plant at the location a closed non-hazardous waste landfill, Kamnolom Zagorje. The anticipated capacity of the planned power plant will be up to 1.3 MW. The project will be implemented within 12 months of the establishment of conditions for building. The installation of a solar power plant in the area of a former landfill is an example of good practice in the reuse of brownfield sites and a major step forward towards the greater energy self-sufficiency of the municipality.

Celje: The first urban energy community

The ECE company will install solar power plants with the capacity of some 1.4 MW on various public buildings, including the Z’ dežele Football Stadium, the Celje Outdoor Swimming Complex and the Celje Community Healthcare Centre. The project also includes the maintenance of the facilities, takeover of surplus and coverage for deficit electricity, and management of the city’s first energy community, which will connect more than 40 public buildings. The new power plants will generate some 1,462 MWh of clean electricity annually and result in energy cost savings of approximately EUR 200,000.

Šoštanj: One step closer to self-sufficiency

The Municipality of Šoštanj and the ECE company will install four solar power plants with a total capacity of some 0.5 MW on a sports hall, a music school and the community healthcare centre. The project will generate some 500 MWh of clean electricity annually and thus result in significant energy cost savings for the municipality. After the completion of the project, the proportion of electricity generated from renewable sources on public buildings of the municipality will amount to some 70 per cent.

Velenje: Solar power plants for an energy future

In the Municipality of Velenje, a contract was signed at the beginning of October to install 13 solar power plants with a total capacity of 1.97 MW on public buildings, such as schools, kindergartens, the community healthcare centre and the wastewater treatment plant. The works will start as early as October and result in additional energy savings. Subsequently, the role of Velenje as an exemplary green municipality will be further strengthened.

The Hoče Consortium: 22 public buildings generate solar power

As part of the Hoče Consortium, Energija plus will install 22 solar power plants totalling 1.3 MW. The municipalities involved in the consortium will thus make a vital contribution to energy self-sufficiency and the green transition of local communities.

Municipality of Ptuj: The largest municipal project so far

The Municipality of Ptuj and Energija plus will install 13 solar power plants with a total capacity of 1.5 MW. The largest one will have the capacity of more than 0.6 MW and will be located on the Ptuj wastewater treatment plant. With the project, the municipality will substantially increase clean energy production and reduce its carbon footprint.

The Puconci Consortium: Together for 2.2 MW of solar power plants

Within the Puconci Consortium, Energija plus will install solar power plants with a total of 2.2 MW on as many as 28 buildings. The largest proportion will be attributed to the Municipality of Ormož, in which solar power plants totalling a little less than 1 MW will be installed on six public buildings. The power plants will generate more than 1,000 MWh of clean electricity a year, sufficient to supply some 300 households.

The HSE Group as the spearhead of the green transition

“By implementing such projects, the HSE Group realises its vision of spearheading Slovenia’s green transition. We are proud that our companies, ECE and Energija plus, contribute with their knowledge and experience to the development of local communities and the enhancement of the energy independence of municipalities. Solar power plants installed on public buildings are not only an investment in sustainability, but also in the future of our descendants,” highlighted Dr Tomaž Štokelj, Chief Executive Officer of Holding Slovenske elektrarne.

With the new projects, the HSE Group is reinforcing its role of a leading player in the field of renewable energy sources in Slovenia. The total capacity of the planned solar power plants installed by the companies, ECE, Energija plus and HSE, in cooperation with the municipalities, exceeds 10 MW. The projects denote a vital step towards greater energy self-sufficiency and independence of local communities and simultaneously reflect a successful partnership between the companies of the HSE Group and municipalities. With our joint efforts, we build a cleaner, more energy-efficient and sustainable future for Slovenia.

Public Relations and Marketing Communication Department of HSE