Slovenia: Focus on Energy Efficiency, Community Energy Projects and Energy Poverty

Abstract

Slovenia has a small energy sector, where oil (45%) represents the main energy source. Electricity generation is equally divided between hydropower, nuclear energy and coal. Trends in energy policy go in the direction of maintaining status quo. A significant percentage of house- holds live in energy poverty due to combination of low energy efficiency of buildings, high ownership rates, and low incomes. The Sustainable Energy Consumption Initiatives (SECIs) reviewed in this chapter are generally ahead of the trends in national energy policies. The progres- sive nature of many SECIs is evident in the field of energy efficiency and diversity of effective approaches, in particular in the cases of community renewable energy initiatives and the problem of energy poverty. Policy- makers still do not fully appreciate the relevance of these areas for a sus- tainable transition. Especially in areas of community energy and energy poverty, SECIs provide recommendations to decision-makers on how to proceed in dealing with these issues.