Ljubljana - Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec reiterated his promise that the state would help the coal-mining regions through transition as he responded to misgivings aired by those dependent on the industry over the strategy to exit coal in 2033.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Vrtovec said 2033 when Slovenia was to exit coal to generate power was an ambitious but also very realistic goal.

Coal represents 28% of Slovenia's current electricity output. The government is planning to replace it with "new nuclear technologies", said the minister, noting extension of the lifespan of the Krško Nuclear Power Plant and plans to build a replacement reactor.

"The Šalek region won't be left on its own, the state will help a lot through legislation," he said, saying he was surprised by some of the complaints aired by local communities as they had been involved in the strategy's preparation.

"The reproach that the strategy doesn't secure jobs isn't viable," he said, adding that some of the issues raised would yet be tackled in specific plans that are being drawn up by several government departments.

Under the strategy the Infrastructure Ministry will draw up a bill on a phased shutdown of the Velenje coal mine and the Ministry of Economic Development will prepare a bill to restructure the Savinja and Šalek region with a national coordinator to be appointed to tap into the Just Transition Fund.

The strategy, adopted by the government last week, is seen as a first step to tap into available EU funds, with reviews planned every three years. "If let's say in 2027 we find we aren't meeting the goals set out there's the option to re-examine the strategy, including the target year," said Vrtovec.

State Secretary Blaž Košorok noted that the Velenje mine would not actually be shut down in 2033, but its shutdown would start in a process that would expectedly take 15 years "during which time experts and miners will still be needed to perform shutdown works".

Nor will the state forget about the former mining region of Zasavje, which is to get about 30% of the funds from the Just Transition Fund, said the official.

He indicated that the national coordinator of just transition could be a state secretary at a ministry or PM's office. "I believe it will be someone who will have sufficient competence, knowledge and ability to link several segments together."

Touching on Slovenia's future energy mix, Vrtovec noted the nuclear option as well as the plan to boost renewables such as by building new hydro power plants and utilising solar power. He also mentioned gas where he said supply should be dispersed.

The minister allows for the possibility for people to decide on nuclear energy in a referendum, but hopes they will not reject such an option.