Renewable energy sources in Slovakia

Renewable energies currently represent only 1.6% of the total primary energy consumption in Slovakia, if large hydropower plants (over 10 MW) are excluded. Technically exploitable potential: potential that can be used by implementing available technologies, limited by legislative, administrative and environmental barriers. This potential is estimated 87,754 TJ. Available potential: this refers to the part of technically exploitable potential that is limited by other uses of the resource. The current exploitation of renewable sources is estimated at 14,659 TJ, therefore the available potential represents 73,094 TJ. Economic potential: this refers to the part of the available potential that can be economically viable, given the social constraints (legislation, fiscal regulations, equipment and operation costs, discount rates, inflation, etc.). This potential is estimated to be slightly over 24,000 TJ, i.e. 32.8% of the available potential. Market potential: this refers to the part of economic potential, that investors are ready to develop by themselves, considering the market barriers (investments risks, expected benefits, etc.). It is estimated at 15.4% of the available potential. The table below gives an overview of the different potential for the various sources of renewable energy. Biomass has the greatest economic potential of all renewable energy sources, both in relative (42.7% of the available potential) and in absolute terms. Geothermal energy comes a close second. The other sources (wind, solar and small hydropower) have similar levels of potential i.e. their economic potential represents between 23% and 25% of the available resources. Potential for renewable energy sources in Slovakia in 2012 is reviewed