Background information

The Energy Agency (Agencija za energijo) is responsible for determining the network charges that users pay to cover costs incurred by electricity system operators, such as system maintenance, electricity measurement, and loss coverage. The Agency has spent several years developing a new calculation for network charges that aims to be both cost-effective and socially fair during the green transition. In October 2024, the Act on the Methodology for Calculating Network Charges for Electricity Operators (Akt o metodologiji za obračunavanje omrežnine za elektrooperaterje) was enacted, leading to a vigorous public debate. Employer organisations, in particular, opposed the new system, as it would lead to increased electricity costs for large consumers

Content of measure

The rationale behind the new calculation for network charges is to encourage all consumers, from households to industries, to save energy. Mindful energy usage can significantly influence both current and future costs related to the green transition, prompting consumers to adjust their energy consumption habits. To support this initiative, the system regularly updates customers on how their energy use impacts network utilization costs, while also raising awareness about the importance of efficient energy consumption. The new system utilizes pricing strategies to motivate consumers to gradually change their habits, thereby facilitating the green transition. Notably, there will be a substantial difference in charges between the winter and summer months. However, the Energy Agency claims that most consumers will not face higher overall costs. Previously, the average user paid approximately €18 per month; under the new structure, the monthly network charge will be €29 from November to February and €11 from March to October. This adjustment results in an average monthly cost of €17, which is €12 less annually than before. Nonetheless, larger electricity consumers, such as those in the steel industry, will see an increase in charges. This has led employer organisations to accuse the government of pursuing a deindustrialization policy within the Slovenian economy. Additionally, the new system will impact owners of large solar power plants, who have only been paying minimal network charges until now

Use of measure

In 2025, the Energy Agency is preparing 'minor upgrades' to the network charges system, which have been in force since July 2024. However, these appear to fall short of the government's expectations for more radical changes before the start of the winter season. With regard to solar power plant owners and companies, the Agency emphasised that network charges must reflect the actual costs of operating and upgrading the network and that all customers must be treated non-discriminatorily. It is hard to discern the voices of householders as other stakeholders were much more vocal.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Applies to all businesses	Applies to all citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	No special funding required

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Unknown	Unknown
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

No information available.

Views and reactions

In November 2024, employer organisations protested against the new methodology for calculating network charges. They pointed out that large electricity consumers, which operate continuously 24/7, cannot lower their energy costs by shifting their consumption to off-peak hours when electricity prices are lower. Some large, energy-intensive companies have recently received their first bills reflecting an increase of up to three times in network charges. Employer organisations have highlighted that the Slovenian economy is already struggling with high electricity prices, and the rise in network charges exacerbates this issue. The materials industry, which includes energy-intensive sectors such as metals, chemicals, paper, and non-metallic mineral products, is particularly affected. This sector contributes over 3% to the GDP, amounting to €1.8 billion in 2023, and encompasses around 640 companies and 27,000 employees. Representative employer organisations are calling for a longer transitional period and a revised methodology for calculating network charges that considers cost-reflective criteria.

In response, Prime Minister Robert Golob said that a working group will be set up under the auspices of the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) to monitor whether the tariff system is fair and proportionate.

Sources

• 14 November 2024: MMC RTV SLO, Why has the coalition suddenly changed its mind completely on network charging? (Zakaj so v koaliciji nenadoma povsem spremenili mnenje glede obračunavanja omrežnine?) (www.rtvslo.si)
• 18 November 2024: Representative employer organisations: new system of network charges should be repealed or substantially amended (Reprezentativne delodajalske organizacije: Nov sistem omrežnin potrebno razveljaviti oziroma pomembno spremeniti) (media.gzs.si)
• 25 November 2024: Act on the Methodology for Calculating Network Charges for Electricity Operators (Akt o metodologiji za obračunavanje omrežnine za elektrooperaterje) (pisrs.si)
• 06 February 2025: Act on urgent measures to mitigate the effects of high network charges for household customers (Zakon o nujnih ukrepih za omilitev posledic obračuna visoke omrežnine za gospodinjske odjemalce, ZNUOPOVO) (pisrs.si)
• 04 June 2025: What network changes is the Energy Agency preparing? (Kakšne omrežninske spremembe pripravlja agencija za energijo) (www.delo.si)