Slovak Industry Calls for Expansion of Renewable Energy Sources

Slovak industrial companies are pressing the government to accelerate the development of new renewable energy sources, saying they need access to green electricity to meet their own sustainability commitments. Industry representatives say businesses have pledged to reduce their carbon footprints — often under pressure from international partners and investors — but cannot fulfil those obligations without a sufficient domestic supply of renewable power. The situation is particularly complicated in the case of wind energy: Slovakia has been one of the few European Union member states with virtually no operational wind farms, due to longstanding legal and regulatory barriers that have blocked construction of wind turbines. The push from industry adds to growing pressure on Slovak policymakers to liberalise energy rules and fast-track renewable projects, as the country risks falling behind EU green energy targets.