An Energy Strategy in a Liberalized Environment in Slovakia

Abstract

The article deals with the state energy policy and strategy in Slovakia and also compares the basic principles of energy policy in the European Union. The goal is to outline the objectives of energy policy of the Slovak Republic, the strategy for reducing energy consumption and increasing energy efficiency. It also describes the system of financing energy policy measures and highlights the current state of research and development positions in the energy sector in Slovakia. It briefly defines the process of liberalization of energy market, restructuring and privatization in Slovakia. The author also presents a view of an enlarged regional cooperation that is essential (the Visegrad Group—V4). V4 was established as a tool for cooperation in several sectors, the group is led by the Presidency, which varies annually. One of the effects of the gas crisis was the elaboration of V4 + Budapest Declaration, 24 February 2010, which created a specific framework for the flagship project of common gas connections of V4 and further development of this cooperation—Bratislava Declaration of January 25, the 2011th. Regional cooperation promoted by the European Commission—the establishment of the High Level Group for north–south connections (countries V4, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania) and its integration into strategic documents of European Union. Briefly stated the key role of nuclear energy in the energy mix in Slovakia. A major source of energy are renewable sources of energy that are an important part of Slovak politics of climate change. Also contributing to the economic “green” growth (job creation) and security of supply. The goal is 14 % share of renewable energy in gross final consumption in 2020 and 10 % share of renewable energy in the transport sector in 2020. It defines the usable potential of renewable resources (hydropower, biomass, biofuels, biogas, wind energy, geothermal energy) and also shows the expected evolution of total electricity consumption and maximum possible development of electricity generation by 2030. The paper contains a discussion of in-depth energy audit and energy policy, i.e. In-Depth Review (IDR), conducted by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in a comparison of results obtained in selected EU countries. At the end of the article the author provides a real situation during the liberalization from his point of view in a selected energy company in Slovakia.