Slovakia already gets almost 86% of its electricity from low-carbon sources, an impressive achievement. Over the 12 months from October 2025 through September 2026, nuclear supplied about two-thirds of electricity, hydropower 12%, biofuels 4% and solar 3%. Fossil fuels accounted for about 14%, mainly gas at nearly 12%, with oil contributing about 1%. Slovakia is also a significant net electricity exporter, helping neighboring regions lower their emissions. Its next challenge is to electrify transport, heating and industry, which will require much more clean electricity.

Is Electricity Growing in Slovakia?

Slovakia’s latest figures remain below its historical electricity records, so sustained growth is still needed. Electricity consumption in 2026 stood at about 5,070 kWh per person, roughly 960 kWh, or 16%, below the record of 6,030 kWh set in 2002. Low-carbon electricity generation reached about 4,350 kWh per person, just under the 2002 record of about 4,390 kWh—a shortfall of around 40 kWh per person. These comparisons do not establish the latest year-on-year trend, but the lack of a new clean electricity record is disappointing given the growing electricity needs of electrification and AI.

Suggestions

Slovakia should build on its strong nuclear foundation by expanding existing nuclear capacity through suitable upgrades and additional generating units. Nuclear already supplies most of the country’s electricity, making expansion a natural way to increase dependable low-carbon generation for domestic electrification and exports. Solar expansion would complement this foundation, adding clean electricity on rooftops and other suitable sites. Investment in electricity networks, storage and flexible demand would help make effective use of the additional generation.

History

Slovakia’s low-carbon electricity history features substantial nuclear gains alongside fluctuations in hydropower. Nuclear generation rose by 2.3 TWh in 1986, followed by gains of 1.1 TWh in 1994 and 1.7 TWh in 1999; hydropower added 1.5 TWh in 1993. The early 2000s brought a particularly strong nuclear increase of 3.4 TWh in 2000 and another 0.8 TWh in 2002. Later years included nuclear gains of 1.4 TWh in 2008 and 0.8 TWh in 2011, while hydropower fluctuated, increasing by 1 TWh in 2010 but falling by 1.8 TWh in 2003 and 1.5 TWh in 2011. More recently, 2023 delivered encouraging increases of 2.2 TWh from nuclear and 1.1 TWh from hydropower. Nuclear added another 1 TWh in 2025, although hydropower fell by 1.7 TWh that year, reinforcing the importance of sustained expansion in clean electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Oct 2025 – Sep 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.