In the year 2024, Slovenia's electricity landscape is largely shaped by low-carbon technologies, making up more than three-quarters of the country's total electricity consumption. Among these clean sources, nuclear energy stands out, contributing approximately a third, with hydropower closely following at another third. Despite a promising shift towards low-carbon sources, Slovenia still relies on fossil fuels for nearly a quarter of its electricity, with coal accounting for the majority of this share. Solar energy, although part of the low-carbon group, represents a smaller portion of the mix, just below 9%. Biofuels, another low-carbon source, contribute a minor share and are often seen in conjunction with other low-carbon categories. These numbers highlight Slovenia's commendable progress towards reducing fossil fuel dependence but also underscore the potential for further growth in clean electricity generation.
Is Electricity Growing in Slovenia?
Despite the dominance of low-carbon sources, electricity consumption per person in Slovenia has not increased and is slightly down compared to past levels. In 2024, the total electricity consumption stands at around 8025 kWh per person, which is 446 kWh lower than the record set a decade ago in 2014. Similarly, the low-carbon electricity generation has also decreased moderately, standing at approximately 6113 kWh per person, down 326 kWh compared to its peak in the same year. This stagnation calls for urgent attention and strategic planning, emphasizing the need for Slovenia to bolster its clean electricity capacity to meet future demand and decarbonize effectively.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Slovenia should consider expanding its existing nuclear infrastructure, given its significant contribution to the electricity mix. Learning from countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy plays an even more prominent role, could provide invaluable insights. France, for instance, generates about 68% of its electricity from nuclear power, while Slovakia follows closely with 62%. This success demonstrates the vast potential of nuclear energy not only in meeting electricity needs but also in reducing carbon emissions. Slovenia could also learn from Denmark's experience with wind energy, which accounts for over half of its electricity, to further diversify its low-carbon portfolio. By capitalizing on these successful models, Slovenia can both strengthen its energy security and contribute to global climate goals.
History
Tracing the history of low-carbon electricity in Slovenia, various shifts can be noted across different decades. In the early 1990s, nuclear energy experienced a setback with a decrease in output, while hydropower gradually increased. The 2000s saw fluctuations in hydropower, with significant gains and losses from year to year, notably in 2004 with an increase of 1.1 TWh and a similar loss in 2015. Meanwhile, nuclear power saw some increases, such as in 2014 with a 1.1 TWh rise, but also faced declines in certain years, like in 2012 and 2021. These fluctuations highlight the challenges and importance of maintaining and expanding stable, low-carbon energy sources. It's essential for Slovenia to prioritize strategic investments in these sectors to ensure a consistent and growing supply of clean electricity well into the future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.