Energy: Middle Sava River Cascade
Executive summary
The run-of-river hydropower plants on the middle Sava River will connect the cascades on the upper and lower Sava River into a closed chain. Nine power plants are envisaged on the section which is from the geographical point of view divided into two parts: the Ljubljana Basin with Tacen, Gameljne, Šentjernej, Zalog, Jevnica, Kresnice and Ponoviče HPPs; and the canyon part of Zasavje with Renke, Trbovlje and Suhadol HPPs. The conditions for hydropower development of the Middle Sava River section are regulated by the Concession Act; concession has been granted to Holding Slovenske elektrarne.
The rated discharge of the chain on the Middle Sava River has been determined in a manner which enables power generation in time with the hydro power plants on the Upper and Lower Sava River. It amounts to 260 m3/s on the river section to Zalog, and to 400 m3/s at the confluence with the Ljubljanica River. The storage reservoir of the cascade lies at 117 meters and it is the difference between the downstream water level at Medvode and the upstream water level at Vrhovo serving to compensate flows.
Current status
On the basis of the decree on the concession for the use of water for electricity generation in the section from Ježice to Suhadol, the Holding Slovenske elektrarne has obtained the concession from the Slovenian government. For this project, relevant investigations have already been carried out or are in the pipeline (geological and geomechanical, seismic, hydrological and hydrogeological, ichtiologic, …) and a feasibility study has been completed. The documentation required under the National Spatial Plan has been prepared. After signing of the concession agreement, the other phases of the project will start.
Investment opportunity
The average annual output of the chain on the Middle Sava River is estimated at: 1.029 GWh/year and net electrical output of 339 MW. Completion of all stages will enable optimal development of available hydro potential. Apart from the energy effects, also other beneficial effects of hydro power plant construction in the region can be expected: flood protection; better water supply; waste water treatment; development of transport and energy networks as well as positive economic and social effects.
The planned construction on the Middle Sava River section connecting the hydropower plants on the upper and lower Sava River into a closed chain which will operate on the principle of run-of-river type power plants with daily storage will develop further Slovenia’s hydro potential alongside flood protection, better water supply and waste water treatment, and a boost to transport and energy infrastructure. It is a win-win situation with positive economic and social effects that public-private partnerships deliver.
Budget / Total cost
The required investment is estimated at € 810 million at an internal rate of return (IRR) of approximately 6%. The construction of the plant is scheduled to be take place between 2012 and 2030.
Project finance / Support
Finance contract(s) to cover approximately 50% of the total investment.
Project advantages
The Sava River has the second largest hydropower potential of the Slovenian rivers: 2,794 GWh of usable potential with approximately 18% of the Sava being utilized compared with the combined potential of 3,455 GWh of other rivers utilized 22%. The Government's renewable energy strategy envisages refurbishing the existing small scale hydropower units as well as increasing the capacity of the large-scale units. The Slovenian Government is committed to developing five more hydro sites on the lower Sava River to generate further 200 MWe of new hydro capacity to the system. Approximately 230 MW of capacity is currently under construction across Slovenia with further 520 MW of capacity in the pipeline.
The investment will help create jobs while the storage reservoirs will solve the problems of drinking water supply, irrigation of agricultural land and flood prevention and will enable recreational activities and water sports. In addition, there is the development of transport infrastructure, as well as utility and energy facilities and the construction of waste water treatment plants.
By investing in the project, the potential investor has the opportunity earn, to be a partner to the biggest Slovenian producer of electricity and get a foothold in the Slovenian power market and a springboard to the regional markets.
Contact point
Holding Slovenske elektrarne d.o.o. (HSE d.o.o.)
Address: Koprska ulica 92, SI-1000 Ljubljana
Phone: +386 (0)1 470 41 00
Fax: +386 (0)1 470 41 01
Email: hse[@]hse.si; info[@]hse.si
URL: www.hse.si
