Slovenia is planning to install solar panels on land owned by the state railway company, Slovenske Železnice. The initiative aims to boost renewable energy and supply electricity to households in multi-apartment buildings.
Solar Panels Aiding Multi-apartment Households
As part of a broader strategy to increase renewable energy production, Slovenia is expanding its solar power capabilities by utilizing land owned by Slovenske Železnice. This move will enhance the community self-supply of electricity for households in multi-apartment buildings. Building on similar efforts to use land alongside highways, the government has proposed installing photovoltaic (PV) facilities on railway property.
These solar power plants will provide electricity for community self-supply, ensuring that households—particularly those in multi-apartment buildings—have access to renewable energy. The Slovenian government has tasked the Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SDH), which oversees state-owned companies like Slovenske Železnice, with preparing and implementing a public call for the project. This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to sustainable energy and its goals for self-sufficiency with low-carbon electricity, as outlined in the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan.
Strategic Utilization of Railway Land
The government’s proposal directs Slovenske Železnice to compile and submit a list of potential locations for PV facilities to the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy, and the Ministry of Infrastructure. This list, expected by the end of 2024, will help identify priority areas for constructing solar power plants that support community self-supply needs.
Slovenia plans solar PV facilities on railway land to boost community self-supply and low-carbon goals.
The government highlighted the community self-supply model, where electricity is generated from renewable sources to meet the needs of consumers in multi-apartment buildings and energy communities. This approach is key to achieving Slovenia’s low-carbon electricity goals. The law governing renewable energy production designates specific priority locations for PV systems. By using land owned by Slovenske Železnice, Slovenia can tap into underutilized spaces for significant renewable energy production and benefit a broader segment of the population.
Implementation Timeline and Contractor Selection
The Slovenian government has set a clear timeline for installing these PV plants, aiming for completion by the end of 2025. Slovenske Železnice is expected to identify suitable lots and begin allocating these areas to contractors capable of implementing community self-supply projects.
When selecting contractors, Slovenske Železnice and its subsidiaries are urged to prioritize companies that plan to allocate at least 80% of their electricity production to households. The selection process will also emphasize support for energy-poor households, residents of multi-apartment buildings, and citizens who were previously denied permits to install solar panels for self-supply. This inclusive approach ensures the benefits of renewable energy extend to vulnerable and underserved communities, promoting energy equity alongside sustainability.
A Broader Context of Renewable Initiatives
This railway land initiative is not Slovenia’s first venture into using public land for solar energy. A year ago, the state-owned hydropower operator Soške Elektrarne Nova Gorica (SENG) and the national road management firm Družba za Avtoceste v Republiki Sloveniji (DARS) announced plans to build solar power plants along highways. These efforts underscore Slovenia’s comprehensive strategy to increase its renewable energy capacity by utilizing various public lands.
The government’s proactive measures reflect a broader commitment to addressing climate change and advancing energy independence through innovative uses of state-owned properties. By integrating renewable energy sources into everyday infrastructure, Slovenia is setting a precedent for sustainable development and community empowerment.
Slovenia’s initiative to use railway land for solar panels is a significant step toward enhancing the country’s renewable energy infrastructure. By focusing on community self-supply and prioritizing support for multi-apartment buildings and energy-poor households, the project aligns with Slovenia’s strategic low-carbon electricity goals. The planned implementation by the end of 2025 marks a key milestone in the nation’s journey towards a sustainable and equitable energy future.
