Aleksander Mervar, director of the national power grid operator ELES, pointed out that the only renewable energy source at Slovenia's disposal, aside from a limited hydropower potential, was solar energy.

The country would therefore greatly benefit if legislative changes that would make it more energy-efficient were adopted, he added.

Rok Vodnik, a board member at the energy company Petrol, agreed that Slovenia was lacking in renewable energy sources and that existing ones should be better used; to do so, he thought inter-regional cooperation, one of Petrol's main focuses, should be encouraged. Slovenia should follow in the footsteps of other countries that are increasing their investment in renewable energy.

He believes the administrative procedures are much too slow, making Slovenia less competitive. Peter Novak of Energotech shares his view, and is convinced that all proposals could be carried out if there was enough political will.

Head of the environment directorate of the Environment Ministry Tanja Bolte echoed the need for a strategy. The ministry is ambitious in its plans to decrease Slovenia's carbon footprint, however, concrete measures are necessarily based on precise calculations, she said; a point which Mervar disputed.

Tomislav Tkalec of the environmental NGO Focus was also critical of the government, saying it had paid no mind to renewable energy for years, and had now bitten off more than it could chew. He encouraged greater participation of all stakeholders on all levels.

Agreeing that all stakeholders should be involved in the decision-making process, Bogdan Barbič, the CEO of the hydroelectric power plant operator HESS, said NGOs should nevertheless strive not to undermine the government. "Taking action is our joint responsibility," he added.