Integration of sustainability into overall energy policy — New Slovenian National Energy Program

It is clear that the European energy sector has entered into a new era faced with serious challenges. Advanced methodology that was already in use during the development of the previous Slovenian National Energy Program was further improved to assess the decisions in the power sector under liberalized market conditions and new security of supply challenges. The new Slovenian National Energy Program proposal has been developed having in mind four basic objectives - increasing reliability of energy supply, boosting competitiveness of the economy, promoting environmentally sustainable solutions and securing social cohesiveness. In this paper, evaluation of key strategic development energy issues in Slovenia is presented. Special attention is given to above mention objectives of the new Slovenian Energy Program with the aim to clarify barriers for the full implementation of sustainable energy policy. Also, mechanisms to correct market imperfections and to stimulate the use of new renewable sources and high efficient cogeneration are described.