Ljubljana, 15th of March – In light of the green transition, the Director of the Strategic Innovation Department at ELES, mag. Uroš Salobir, Mayor of Velenje, Peter Dermol, and Mayor of Šoštanj, Darko Menih, have signed an umbrella agreement for the implementation of cross-sectoral projects in the electricity, heating and cooling sectors.
In accordance with the commitments contained in the strategic documents of both Slovenia and the European Union in the Savinjska-Šaleška region, the purpose of this cooperation is to create public goods. The permanent and uninterrupted production of these public goods is in the public interest of both the local community and the Republic of Slovenia. The aim of this agreement is to identify potential projects, ideas, relevant partnerships and the necessary sources of funding.
Mag. Uroš Salobir, Director of the Strategic Innovation Department at ELES, pointed out at the event that the signed agreement represents a safeguard for the local community to be able to ensure stable care in the future, regardless of what is happening in Europe. In addition, it will be possible to carry out new research projects, strengthen the economy in the research sector, support innovation and involve the local economy in cooperation. According to mag. Uroš Salobir, Velenje and Šoštanj have the advantage of a remote social system, because individualization of heating is no longer necessarily the best solution. In his address, the Mayor of the Municipality of Šoštanj, Darko Menih, expressed his expectations that by participating in joint projects, a more environmentally friendly heat source could be provided. The mayor of Velenje, Peter Dermol, said at the signing of the agreement, which will be the basis for identifying potential projects, that the Šaleška dolina will receive a new district heating system within ten to fifteen years and the signing of this agreement is its foundation.
Prior to the signing, the guests were addressed by the manager of the Utility Company Velenje, mag. Gašper Škarja, emphasizing that by cooperating with ELES, it will be easier and faster to find suitable solutions that will be most favourable for users and will also enable environmentally friendly heat distribution. At the conclusion, mag. Gregor Goričar, Head of Relations with EU Institutions at ELES, welcomed future cooperation: “We at ELES have also recognized that the Šaleška Valley is a solid example that good solutions and the resources for them can still be found in Slovenia.” Project and investment documentation for new projects is already being prepared, and due to environmental aspects, they are also hoping for state funding from several sources, as the projects will contribute to a better state of the environment in the Šaleška Valley.