1. 1
Position of the Republic of Slovenia on the Green Paper
“A European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy”
Slovenia supports an integrated and comprehensive approach to the European energy policy
and welcomes the publication of the Green Paper entitled “A European Strategy for
Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy” (COM(2006)105 final). Slovenia recognises the
necessity to consider common European energy policy and supports such approach, hoping
that the discussion based on the Green Paper will be efficient and will yield concrete results.
Events at the global, European and national levels show that the development of a common
energy policy is the next logical step in the EU. Slovenia supports this common approach. It
shares other Member States' experience of energy crises and experience in introducing
structural changes required by market liberalisation in the EU and the regulation of the sector.
Moreover, Slovenia as a small country could greatly benefit from a common energy policy,
since its negotiating power towards third countries and large enterprises would markedly
increase. We also believe that other issues concerning the dependence on energy at the
national as well as EU levels could be more easily solved in the framework of a common
policy. Slovenia is therefore determined to seek its energy interests and policies within the
EU.
1. Energy for growth and jobs in Europe: completing internal European electricity
and gas markets
A European grid
Slovenia believes that in the first place the establishment of an internal energy market in Europe
should be pursued by consistently implementing and enforcing legislation in force. Slovenia
supports the development of a Trans-European Energy Network because it believes that the
network would contribute to a more efficient establishment of the market and the linking of
Europe with neighbouring countries, which would influence diversification of supply.
Slovenia supports the development of the European grid code. We believe that its technical
elements should be prepared by associations of (gas and electricity) transmission and
distribution network operators.
Slovenia is of the opinion that at present it is not necessary to set up a new European energy
regulator, but that an intensive upgrade of standardized regulatory processes in the framework
of the already existing European association of regulators is necessary. A further development
of the Trans-European Energy Network will most probably show the need for a certain level of
common network regulation. However, differences among Members States will have to be
considered in designing and establishing such a body.
A priority interconnection plan
Slovenia supports energy interconnection of EU 25 and their connection with neighbouring
regions. We propose that the work of the European Commission should primarily focus on
developing concrete scenarios for the interconnection of Europe with neighbouring regions in
the areas of electricity, natural gas, LNG terminals, and oil derivatives. We estimate that at the
present moment the EU does not possess sufficiently detailed long-term scenarios for energy

2. 2
interconnection, which has a long-term effect on the level of security and diversification of
energy supply in whole Europe.
Investment in generation capacity
Slovenia estimates that at the moment the European energy market is not sufficiently effective
to enable sustainable investments on the basis of price signals, investment incentives and
regulatory stability.
The Republic of Slovenia believes that legislation for the construction of energy facilities
should be facilitated at the European level.
Boosting the competitiveness of European industry
Slovenia supports the objectives of the Green Paper, including the regulation of energy markets.
This should lead to suitable low energy prices, increasing international competitiveness of
European industry and enabling its growth and new jobs.
Slovenia supports healthy competition at the internal energy market provided that it does not
endanger security and sustainability of energy supply.
We will advocate the need for dialogue and regular consultations among Members States,
European institutions and key operators to implement and protect the EU's key interests in
energy security and to prevent economic protectionism in the energy field in the EU.
Slovenia believes that the EU energy policy should be designed so as to be cost-effective. It
should be based on long-term secure energy supply. This should be achieved through
intensive discussions in the EU and, of course, with strategic energy partners in the
neighbourhood.
To prevent the continuation of excessive energy prices and a consequent undesirable negative
impact on the European economic growth we will support measures to increase energy flows
in the EU internal energy market.
2. An Internal Energy Market that guarantees security of supply: solidarity
between Member States
Enhancing security of supply in the internal market
Slovenia believes that energy supply should be secured on the basis of economic and strategic
criteria and objectives. We support the endeavours for necessary extensive investments in
energy infrastructure in the whole EU area and take an active part in them.
The question of the European Energy Supply Observatory should be more closely examine
and more precisely defined. Although Slovenia supports immediate beginning of monitoring
the demand and supply patterns on EU energy markets and early identification of likely
shortfalls in infrastructure and supply, we believe that there are already existing Community
mechanisms that could be used for this purpose.
Expansion of Trans-European Networks will probably result in the necessity to consider a
more formal grouping of transmission system operators, reporting to the EU energy regulators
and the Commission.

3. 3
Rethinking the EU's approach to emergency oil and gas stocks and preventing disruptions
In Slovenia's opinion, solidarity as a concept should not be exclusive and cannot be limited to
EU Member States only. We are in favour of an inclusive approach that would also include
producer and transit countries.
3. Tackling security and competitiveness of energy supply: towards a more
sustainable, efficient and diverse energy mix
Diversification of energy sources is of paramount importance for the security of supply. The
same is true for the impact of one country's strategic decisions upon those of the others. We
therefore support a more in depth and Community-based approach to such decisions. We
support a joint discussion on all energy sources, including nuclear energy. However, we
believe that the choice of energy mix should remain within the remit of Member States.
We find it necessary to analyse all the advantages and drawbacks of various energy sources,
ranging from renewables, coal, natural gas, and oil to nuclear energy. The review should also
allow a transparent and objective debate on the future role of nuclear energy. In connection
with this, the EU can make sure that all costs, advantages and drawbacks of nuclear power are
identified on the basis of an objective and transparent debate, taking into account the
problems of nuclear waste and safety.
We especially support the idea that the Commission should regularly propose a Strategic EU
Energy Review to the Council and Parliament, which would serve as a basis for the adoption
of appropriate joint measures in response to the challenges and dilemmas of energy policy.
We find the proposed contents of the Review, taking stock of all sources, good and
acceptable, as its single objective remains the same all the time, that is the security of the
supply.
The Review should be based on standard methodology to be used also in discussing
diversification of the energy mix, so as to assess the security and competitiveness of energy
supply for the EU as a whole, underpinned by reviews of individual Member States.
4. An integrated approach to tackling climate changes
Energy efficiency and renewable energy sources
Energy efficiency and renewable energy sources occupy a prominent position in the Green
Paper, which Slovenia welcomes and supports. We support the Commission's plan to propose
this year the Action Plan on Energy Efficiency aimed at reaching the objective of 20%
increase in energy efficiency.
We also support the Commission's plans concerning renewable energy sources. Planned
objectives, be it at the level of Member States or the EU as a whole, can be reached only by a
sufficient support to the use of renewables. Present measures and mechanisms targeting
objectives in the area of biofuels and electricity from renewable energy sources show rather
good results, but should be intensified in order to reach the objectives set.
As far as heat from renewable energy sources is concerned, no common policy has been in
place so far, therefore the Commission's plans in this area are that much more important.

4. 4
Emissions Trading Scheme
Slovenia supports positive effects of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and is of the opinion
that the instrument has yielded favourable results within a year after its implementation,
proving to be a cost-efficient instrument for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. It
stimulated polluters to take investment decisions to implement measures for the reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions.
Slovenia believes that the EU Emissions Trading Scheme could yield even better results in the
future, provided that it would include additional economic activities, such as chemical
industry and transport, and necessarily include other greenhouse gasses. Slovenia is in favour
of supporting the proposal to include NOx. We are aware of the growing problem of
greenhouse gas emissions from traffic and the necessity to adopt measures to reduce them;
therefore we are willing to support, in a broad debate, any efforts to promote such activities.
Slovenia believes that a realistic analysis at the EU level is needed to show the energy and
cost ratios related to the introduction of renewable energy sources and the implementation of
national saving measures. Slovenia believes that estimates have been too optimistic so far.
5. Encouraging innovation: a strategic European energy technology plan
As far as the introduction of innovation and new technologies is concerned, Slovenia believes
that there is much untapped potential in production, transmission, conversion, distribution, and
use of energy. The introduction of innovation in the energy sector is essential for the
competitiveness of the EU economy.
Slovenia believes that one of the opportunities for the introduction of new energy technologies
is also technology platforms in the field of energy. Slovenia further believes that a complex
overview of their functioning is needed to identify the needs in their complementarity in terms
of contents and prevent overlap in research.
Slovenia considers that research should be oriented towards making it commercially interesting
for private investors already at an early stage.
6. Towards a coherent external energy policy
Slovenia is of the opinion that it is necessary to prepare a Strategic EU Energy Review. This
document will serve as the basis for establishing a common EU vision and will determine
individual action plans in the field of energy in Europe.
Slovenia finds it essential that a coherent European external energy policy be established.
A clear policy on securing and diversifying energy supplies
As far as security of supply is concerned, Slovenia finds diversification of energy supplies and
its sources extremely important. It will be necessary to specify this area for natural gas, oil and
LNG terminals so that all neighbouring regions and all important global energy stocks will be
included.

5. 5
Slovenia is of the opinion that at the moment the EU lacks precisely planned and clearly
determined long-term scenarios for energy interconnection within and in particular outside the
EU. This is the very reason causing problems in implementing key projects in the EU.
Energy partnerships with producers, transit countries and other international actors
Common external energy policy must meet the challenges of increasing demand, high and
changing energy prices, increasing dependence on imports, and climate changes. This holds true
for the dialogue with energy producers as well as energy consumers around the world. The EU
already possesses necessary mechanisms, which, however, should be used more efficiently.
Trade and financial mechanisms and the European Neighbourhood Policy should be used for
this purpose.
In connection with this Slovenia underlines the importance of setting up the Energy Community
in South East Europe
Reacting effectively to external crisis situations
Slovenia believes that the EU should examine the role and importance of the existing and
functioning professional associations (the association of system operators, the association of
regulators) with a view to their role in ensuring secure and sustainable energy supply.
Slovenia further believes that regular dialogue and consultations among Members States are
needed, leading to the introduction of measures for secure energy supply in the EU. Slovenia
considers this a way to implement concerted actions in achieving security of energy supply in
the long run. A result of such complex system would be new investments in the energy sector
and a dialogue on energy reserves and nuclear power.
Energy to promote development
Europe should seek to become a leading world power in the field of energy technology and
knowledge significant for the implementation of the European Energy Policy on global scale.