Slovenian state-owned energy company Holding Slovenske elektrarne – HSE said it would cover a part of the Družmirje lake with floating solar panels. The capacity could reach as much as 140 MW. The location is next to the country’s only coal mine and power plant.
In line with the national coal phaseout and just transition strategy, Holding Slovenske elektrarne is working on alternatives for energy supply and investing in the development of Šaleška Valley. It hosts the mine and thermal power plant in Slovenia. HSE said it would install a floating photovoltaic system on the Družmirje lake, also known as Šalek Lake.
The water body is artificial. It was formed in the late 20th century as the land above parts of the Premogovnik Velenje underground coal mine subsided. HSE’s Termoelektrarna Šoštanj (TEŠ) is also next to the lake.
HSE vowed to preserve the Družmirje lake’s ecosystem including birds and to adapt the entire shore for water and waterfront activities.
The floating PV plant will take up no more than half of the lake’s surface, HSE pointed out.
The national strategy from two years ago envisages a coal phaseout by 2033. The Šalek valley is part of the Savinja and Šalek coal region (Savinjsko-šaleška regija – SAŠA). The other one is Zasavje, Balkan Green Energy News reports.
