Utilities
02/09/12
Natural gas
Slovenia depends almost entirely on natural gas supplied from abroad, as it has only about one percent of its own gas sources. In 2009 most of it, as much as 48 percent was supplied from Russia, 29 percent from Algeria, 17 percent from Austria and 5 percent from Italy.
Company Geoplin, d.o.o. operates and owns 970 km of the gas transmission network in Slovenia, which is part of the European gas network. The central part of the Slovenian gas network includes the main pipeline (M1) from Ceršak to Rogatec, (M2) from Rogatec, via Podlog, to Vodice, and (M4) from Rodne to Novo mesto, with a nominal pressure of 50 bar, and the main pipeline (M3) from Šempeter pri Novi Gorici to Vodice, with a nominal pressure of 67 bar. The above-mentioned connections of the transmission network ensure a reliable supply with natural gas to Slovenia. Another important part of the transmission network is the compressor station in Kidričevo, which maintains the required pressure in the transmission network.
The connections of the Slovenian pipeline system with the neighbouring countries of Italy, Austria and Croatia are one of the advantages of Slovenia’s geographical position.
The market of natural gas
In Slovenia the participants of the natural-gas market include the traders and suppliers delivering natural gas to customers.
The opening of the natural-gas market presents the option to choose the supplier of natural gas. A customer that wishes to switch supplier can be supplied with gas by any supplier operating in Slovenia, while the transmission or distribution of natural gas will still be supplied by the current system operator.
The Slovenian network of gas transmission pipelines
- Source: Geoplin
Connecting to the gas network
Making a connection to the gas network is a task of the system operator. The customers wishing to connect to a gas distribution network have to obtain a connection approval from the distribution system operator in the area in which they live, or in which the building requiring a network connection is located.
Prices of natural gas in Slovenia
The gas prices for eligible customers are set by the market and are the subject of negotiations or agreements between the suppliers and eligible customers.
The final price for the supply with natural gas consists of three elements:
- the price for the use of the networks
- the price for the natural gas
- the excise duties, the value-added tax, and other taxes.
Natural gas prices by type of industrial consumer (EUR/GJ; all taxes included), 1st half of 2011
- Source: Statistical office of the Republic of Slovenia, 2012
Water distribution and sewage collection and disposal
The public services of the supply with water intended for human consumption (drinking water) and collection and disposal of waste water and meteoritic water is carried out by public companies on the basis of authorities granted by local communities. These mandatory economic services are operated by using the public infrastructure under their management.
For every new services (utility) connection or a modification to the existing one it is necessary to apply to the operator of the service for approval. The approval to connect to the service is issued on the basis of a previously prepared house connection drawing made by the public company against a fee.
Prices for water and sewage services for business entities in the largest municipalities, February 2012
(taxes and VAT included, exclusive of network charge)
- Source: Public companies in selected municipalities, 2012
Charges for drinking water service
The quantity of water used is the basis for billing consumers on a monthly basis. In addition, the charge for the water service and the network charge are included in the bill based on the scale of the water meter plus the value-added tax (VAT).
Charges for waste water
Sewage fee is also charged on the basis of the water supplied. On top of the base fee for collection, treatment, cleaning and discharge, the environment load tax, network charge and VAT are added.
Charges for services provided to industrial customers
The methodology for the collection and separation and purification of industrial effluents/waste water, processing of liquid waste and sludge is adjusted to the profile of the industrial consumer. Industrial customers are entities discharging over 4,000 m3 of effluent/waste water annually and/or are payers of the fee for monitor industrial waste water due to the nature of their activity. Industrial effluent/waste water means additional load on municipal waste water (sewage) treatment plants. Public companies enter into contracts with industrial customers to collect and treat effluents/industrial waste water and the charge for this waste water service is calculated in line with the approved methodology for a particular public company.
Waste management
Rising incomes and population growth are putting pressure on water supplies and generating more waste. Authorities are having difficulties trying to meet demand for water and manage municipal and industrial waste water.
When Slovenia became a full-fledge member of the European Union, its legislation governing the environment protection had to be fully compliant with the EU legislation including special waste and dangerous substances management. Every small, medium-sized and large enterprise that engages in a specific activity where waste dumped without taking special measures could harm the environment, must take adequate waste management steps.
Municipal wastes (household waste and similar commercial, industrial and institutional wastes) including separately collected fractions. According to the United Nations, some 50 million tonnes of electronic goods (e-waste) are discarded every year and the EU’s WEEE directive (Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment) aims to ensure that e-waste does not end up in landfill (producer take-back law).
Charges for disposal of municipal waste
The public service of disposing of waste is carried out by companies on the basis of authorisations granted by local communities.
Disposal of discharge of solid waste is billed on the basis of quantity (usually in cubic metres - m3) of waste in by taking into account the number of disposals per month. For the companies producing hazardous waste, special regulations apply.