Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LJUBLJANA226
2009-07-31 06:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ljubljana
Cable title:
SLOVENIA HOSTS DISCUSSION OF REGIONAL ENERGY
how-toVZCZCXRO0881 RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSL RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHLJ #0226 2120629 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 310629Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7422 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC RUEANFA/NRC WASHDC
UNCLAS LJUBLJANA 000226
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG ETTC ECON EUN SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA HOSTS DISCUSSION OF REGIONAL ENERGY
PROJECTS
Slovenia Hosts Energy Quadrilateral
------------------------------------
UNCLAS LJUBLJANA 000226
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG ETTC ECON EUN SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA HOSTS DISCUSSION OF REGIONAL ENERGY
PROJECTS
Slovenia Hosts Energy Quadrilateral
--------------
1. (U) Janez Kopac, director for energy in Slovenia's
Ministry of Economy, hosted on May 14 embassy and business
representatives from Slovenia, Italy, Croatia, Austria, and
Hungary to discuss possible energy projects in the region.
The European Commission (EC) also participated, and U.S.
emboff observed. Presentations included possible electricity
generation projects (nuclear, hydro, thermal and renewable)
and electricity and gas distribution projects. The
discussions highlighted the EC's 20/20/20 targets (20 percent
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, 20 percent share of
electricity consumption from renewables, and 20 percent
increase in energy efficiency by 2020) as well as available
EC funding for energy projects.
Regional Projects and EC Involvement
--------------
2. (U) The presenters noted that the region has extensive
investments underway for medium term projects. Hungary,
Croatia, and Slovenia have already started with some gas
pipeline projects that follow EC guidance on ensuring
connections between national gas grids. Similar activities
are underway for electricity distribution networks. Hungary
and Slovenia, for example, are both considering construction
of 1,000 and 1,700 MWh nuclear power plants to meet the
20/20/20 goals and reduce their dependence on electricity
imports. Hungary is planning wind power farms, while
Slovenia is leaning toward hydroelectric possibilities to
meet the renewable energy generation target. Participants
also noted the progress in planning for the Nabucco and South
Stream pipelines and the Adria liquefied natural gas
terminal.
Italian Interest in Slovenia: Competition for Westinghouse?
-------------- --------------
3. (SBU) The Italian representatives had arrived in Ljubljana
on May 13 to meet bilaterally with Kopac and other Slovene
government officials, and a representative from Enel, Italy's
state-owned energy company, specifically told the broader
group that Enel sees Slovenia as an electricity network hub.
The Italians had also opposed U.S. participation in the
broader group discussions, likely due to concerns about
Westinghouse's interest in the possibility of expanding the
Krsko nuclear plant. Enel holds a 12.5 percent stake in the
new generation European Pressurized Reactor project, and
could potentially be a competitor for Westinghouse on any
tender for work at Krsko. Comment: Slovene contacts never
mention Enel when they speak of possible companies to work on
Krsko. Post is working closely with Westinghouse in its
effort to stay front and center on Slovenia's radar screen.
FREDEN
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG ETTC ECON EUN SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA HOSTS DISCUSSION OF REGIONAL ENERGY
PROJECTS
Slovenia Hosts Energy Quadrilateral
--------------
1. (U) Janez Kopac, director for energy in Slovenia's
Ministry of Economy, hosted on May 14 embassy and business
representatives from Slovenia, Italy, Croatia, Austria, and
Hungary to discuss possible energy projects in the region.
The European Commission (EC) also participated, and U.S.
emboff observed. Presentations included possible electricity
generation projects (nuclear, hydro, thermal and renewable)
and electricity and gas distribution projects. The
discussions highlighted the EC's 20/20/20 targets (20 percent
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, 20 percent share of
electricity consumption from renewables, and 20 percent
increase in energy efficiency by 2020) as well as available
EC funding for energy projects.
Regional Projects and EC Involvement
--------------
2. (U) The presenters noted that the region has extensive
investments underway for medium term projects. Hungary,
Croatia, and Slovenia have already started with some gas
pipeline projects that follow EC guidance on ensuring
connections between national gas grids. Similar activities
are underway for electricity distribution networks. Hungary
and Slovenia, for example, are both considering construction
of 1,000 and 1,700 MWh nuclear power plants to meet the
20/20/20 goals and reduce their dependence on electricity
imports. Hungary is planning wind power farms, while
Slovenia is leaning toward hydroelectric possibilities to
meet the renewable energy generation target. Participants
also noted the progress in planning for the Nabucco and South
Stream pipelines and the Adria liquefied natural gas
terminal.
Italian Interest in Slovenia: Competition for Westinghouse?
-------------- --------------
3. (SBU) The Italian representatives had arrived in Ljubljana
on May 13 to meet bilaterally with Kopac and other Slovene
government officials, and a representative from Enel, Italy's
state-owned energy company, specifically told the broader
group that Enel sees Slovenia as an electricity network hub.
The Italians had also opposed U.S. participation in the
broader group discussions, likely due to concerns about
Westinghouse's interest in the possibility of expanding the
Krsko nuclear plant. Enel holds a 12.5 percent stake in the
new generation European Pressurized Reactor project, and
could potentially be a competitor for Westinghouse on any
tender for work at Krsko. Comment: Slovene contacts never
mention Enel when they speak of possible companies to work on
Krsko. Post is working closely with Westinghouse in its
effort to stay front and center on Slovenia's radar screen.
FREDEN