Slovenia Favours Fresh Investment to Boost Energy Efficiency
Slovenia believes that fresh investment and systematic funding are the essential components of efforts to boost energy efficiency, in addition to a uniform interpretation of regulations on state aid for energy efficiency projects, a Slovenian official said Thursday after a meeting of EU energy ministers.
"It is our desire that a stable and clear regulatory framework for the promotion of renewable energy sources be formed," Igor Salamun, the head of the Economy Ministry's directorate for energy, said after the meeting.
"Slovenia believes that long-term objectives for the share of renewables can only be indicative until the implementation of a uniform system of measures for the achievement of the goals set at the EU level," Salamun added.
The energy ministers were discussing a six-year action plan on energy efficiency that the European Commission unveiled in October.
The Commission believes that the bloc could save up to 20% of energy by 2020, which would also have positive economic effects and cut CO2 emissions.
According to Salamun, this is the Commission's estimate while "reality will show how implementable it is".
Asked about Slovenia's success in energy efficiency, Salamun did not provide a concrete estimate. He said that the authorities were working on mechanisms to promote energy efficiency and renewables.
"All of Europe must invest more in energy generation. This is a challenge, but it is also an opportunity for renewable energy sources," he said.
Interestingly, the ministers were faced with the reality of electricity shortages when their meeting was interrupted by a 20-minute power outage in the EU Council building.
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