Slovenia to Increase Share of Renewable Energy, Experts Say
Slovenia will considerably increase the share of renewable energy sources by 2020 in accordance with the recently adopted EU Directive for Renewable Energy Sources, Hinko Solinc of the Environment Ministry said on Monday at the opening of a three-day conference on district energy in Portoroz.
According to him, the share of renewables in Slovenia stands at 11%, while the EU average is 6%. The difference among EU countries will require long negotiations in order to reach the EU-wide target of 20% by 2020.
Considering that Slovenia the share is quite high, it can be expected that it would have to increase to 25%, said Solinc, adding that the agreement on the increase would be legally binding.
According to Solinc, Slovenia will soon amend legislation on the energy performance of buildings, because it lacks certain provisions, such as heating insulation standards. Besides the systems of district heating, the systems of district cooling will also be considered, he added.
In the case of mild winters and given good insulation, the providers of district heating cannot expect high profits, said Solinc.
Meanwhile, the head of the Slovenian District Heating Association, Alojz Poredos, said that the directive was an opportunity to deliberate on the future of energy in Europe. Energy will be one one of the main topics of Slovenia's EU presidency in the first half of 2008, he said.
Energy must not remain a subject of political discussions and trading, it has to be perceived as a life necessity, added Poredos.
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