Slovenia uses land owned by Slovenske Železnice (the state railway company) to install solar panels. This initiative aims to boost renewable energy and provide electricity for households in multi-apartment buildings.
Solar Panels Aiding Multi-apartment Households
Slovenia is embarking on a new initiative to expand its solar power capabilities by utilizing land owned by Slovenske Železnice. This move is part of a broader strategy to boost renewable energy production and enhance community self-supply of electricity for households in multiapartment buildings.
In addition to leveraging areas alongside highways, Slovenia's government has proposed using land under the jurisdiction of Slovenske Železnice to install photovoltaic (PV) facilities. These solar power plants are intended to provide electricity for community self-supply. They are designed to ensure households - particularly those in multi-apartment buildings - have access to renewable energy sources.
The Slovenian government has tasked the Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SDH) with inviting the railway company and its subsidiaries to prepare and implement a public call for the project. Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SDH) oversees state-owned companies including Slovenske Železnice. This initiative reflects the government's commitment to sustainable energy and its strategic goals for self-supplying with low-carbon electricity, as outlined in the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan.
Strategic Utilization of Railway Land
The government’s proposal includes a directive for 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 which is expected by the end of 2024, will help identify priority areas for the construction of solar power plants that cater to community self-supply needs.

Slovenia plans solar PV facilities on railway land to boost community self-supply and low-carbon goals.
The government highlighted community self-supply as a model. It involves the generation of electricity from renewable sources to meet the partial or complete needs of final consumers in multi-apartment buildings and energy communities. This approach is seen as a pivotal tool in achieving Slovenia's low-carbon electricity goals.
The law governing the introduction of devices for renewable energy production designates specific priority locations for PV systems. Slovenia aims to tap into underutilized spaces for significant renewable energy production by using land owned by Slovenske Železnice. This benefits a broader segment of the population.
Implementation Timeline and Contractor Selection
The Slovenian government has set a clear timeline for the installation of these PV plants, aiming for completion by the end of 2025. Slovenske Železnice is expected to identify suitable lots and initiate procedures to allocate these areas to contractors capable of implementing community self-supply projects.
In selecting contractors, Slovenske Železnice and its subsidiaries are urged to prioritise companies that plan to allocate at least 80% of the electricity production to households. There is also a strong emphasis on supporting energy-poor households, residents of multiapartment buildings, and citizens who have previously been denied permits to install solar panels for self-supply.
This inclusive approach ensures that 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 utilizing public land for solar energy. A year ago, 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 underline Slovenia’s comprehensive strategy to increase its renewable energy capacity by making use of 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 the fabric of 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 towards enhancing the country's renewable energy infrastructure. By focusing on community self-supply and prioritizing support for multiapartment buildings and energy-poor households, the project aligns with Slovenia's strategic goals for low-carbon electricity. The implementation of this initiative by the end of 2025 marks a milestone in Slovenia's journey towards a sustainable and equitable energy future.