Citizens' Dialogue in Bratislava with Elena Višnar Malinovská, DG CLIMA, European Commission

On 16 September 2019, Elena Višnar Malinovská took a speaker´s role at the seminar dedicated to Slovak priorities in energy and climate policy focusing on the proposal for an Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Slovakia 2021-2030 (INECP).

Mrs Malinovská summarized the EC recommendations on the INECP providing a preliminary overview of reflected gaps; nevertheless, she emphasized the importance of submitted plans related to the integration of various parts such as security of supply and RES, regional cooperation, tools for investors, competitiveness and innovation, social aspects and long-termism.

State Secretary of the Ministry of Environment Norbert Kurilla together with Director-General of Energy Section of the Ministry of Economy Ján Petrovič, commented on the EC recommendations outlining relevant updates of the proposal.

The seminar was moderated by Lívia Vašáková, Head of Economic Analyses Section, EC REP.

The Economy Ministry explained the extensive missing parts of the INECP by lacking obligation of transposition of renewables and market design regulations. Mr. Petrovič highlighted the collaboration with the Environment Ministry on modelling and its compatibility with the Commission modelling (Primes) to defend the original proposal of 18 % for renewables.

The Environment Ministry argue that systemic measures, synergies, i.e. air quality or waste, as well as the higher GHG reduction commitments in the Enviro-strategy will be added to the final. According to the State Secretary, Slovakia supports the climate neutrality and sees potential for more energy efficiency in particular in buildings; he also reflected on the Modernisation Fund perceived as an effective tool for low-carbon investment support.

Several queries of audience were related to the role of taxes and Commission’s plans, recent increase of dedicated funding from the sale of allowances for environmental purposes (30%), role of biogas (bio-methane) and of intelligent grids (e.g. ACON project), transparency of energy prices and the lack of GHG reductrion ambitions in the maritime and aviation sectors.

Participants were particularly interested in how the funding and controlling of INECP is managed on the EU level. According to our multiple-choice poll, the current objective of greenhouse gas emissions reduction (-12%) is perceived as insufficient, i.e. almost all participants were in favour of increasing the ambition and 61% of participants suggested to increase the objective by at least 5pp.

The current objective concerning RES (18%) was perceived as satisfactory;  37% of participants agreed with the status quo but 32% of participants suggested to increase the objective by (at least) 5pp.

Generally, a very constructive tone has resonated in the room full of national stakeholders, environment and energy analysts, public administration representatives, academia, business and trade representatives as well as media.