The EU will allocate 258 million euros to Slovenia to facilitate the climate transition
LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), December 16 (SeeNews) – The European Commission announced on Friday that it will provide more than 258 million euros ($275 million) to help ensure a just climate transition in the regions of Savinjsko-Šaleška (SASA) and Zasavje. in central Slovenia within the framework of the Just Transition Fund (JTF).
“The JTF will help diversify the local economy by investing in research and development related to innovative industrial processes and production capabilities in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),” the Commission said in a press release.
In SAZ, the coal mine in Velenje and the coal blocks of the Šoštanj power plant will be closed by 2033.
The fund will transform the district heating system and support the transition from the use of coal to alternative clean energy sources for heating, such as solar energy and heat pumps. The JTF will also support the production of energy from renewable sources such as hydrogen.
In addition, degraded coal-related facilities in the region will be modified and revitalized with the aim of investing in the expansion of renewable energy production.
The JTF will also support 2,400 workers active in the coal industry with lifelong career counseling and training.
The Zasava region once had a coal mine and a power plant and is working to develop new industries that will support the restructuring of its economy. The JTF will support local SMEs in developing innovative business models and measures that will help retain talent in the region and create new employment opportunities.
The fund will also invest in the decarbonisation of the region through the production of various renewable energy sources such as solar energy and energy efficiency measures.
($ = 0.939 euros)