Ljubljana - The Ljubljana city council endorsed on Monday the city's energy strategy for 2022-2030, envisaging a 40% cut in CO2 emissions by 2030 compared to 2008 and zero net greenhouse gas emissions by the middle of the century. Three hydro power plants on the Ljubljanica river are planned along with a waste-to-energy plant and number of solar power plants.

In line with the strategy, Ljubljana should achieve energy self-sufficiency by 2025 and the entire energy chain in the municipality should become carbon-free.

Energy sources are to be diversified, combining both natural resources and renewables, and energy from waste and waste heat. Energy poverty is to be eliminated and economic development based on production and services in the fields of energy and environment.

Ljubljana plans to exceed the EU's goals in reducing energy use, and exploit solar energy and shallow geothermal energy. Alternatives to gas, which is currently the main source of energy, will also be strategically analysed.

A total of 85 measures are envisaged to boost energy efficiency and reduce energy use for example in public lighting and through renovation of buildings, alternative energy sources, decarbonisation, replacing of old furnaces, electrification of transport and use of alternative fuels.

The strategy envisages the conclusion of the EUR 140 million natural gas-steam unit of the Moste thermal power plant, with Mayor Zoran Janković saying that the facility should be finished in three months.

The new unit is to replace two coal-fired units while the third, which was converted to combine coal and wood biomass in 2008, will remain in operation. The municipality expects a 70% reduction in coal use.

As gas prices are rising and gas supply could become problematic, the city-owned heating utility Energetika Ljubljana will need to find a good combination of energy sources. Janković said that based on today's visit by Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani he expected no problems with gas supply.

But in the long run, Energetika Ljubljana plans to replace natural gas with green gases, mostly biogas in combination with hydrogen.

Another major investment will be the construction of three small hydro power plants on the Ljubljanica, a joint project of the municipality and Energetika Ljubljana, and the state and the company Elektro Ljubljana. The energy part of the investment is estimated at EUR 30 million, VAT included, and together with the infrastructural part, the price tag is around EUR 45 million.

By the end of 2026, three small hydro power plants are to be set up downstream from the Ljubljanica Sluice Gate, on Gruber Canal and the confluence of Gruber Canal with the Ljubljanica, and a circular waterway is to be created.

The third major project is the construction of a facility using energy from waste, an incineration plant, a joint project of Energetika Ljubljana and public utility Voka Snaga, estimated at more than EUR 134 million.

Solar power plants are to be put on municipal buildings, the Stožice and Tivoli sport arenas, and three primary schools. The emerging Rog art centre is also being mentioned as a potential location as are several degraded areas in the north and east of the municipality.

The bus centre in the Šiška borough that is to be transformed into a service and maintenance centre is also to boast a solar power plant worth EUR 2.4 million.