Slovenia is preparing to launch an ambitious energy project aimed at creating the largest floating solar power plant in Europe. According to pv-magazine, the state energy company Holding Slovenske Elektrarne (HSE) plans to construct the PSE Druzmirje station with a capacity of 140 MW on the site of the former mining lake Druzmirje, located near Sostanj in the northern part of the country.
The station will occupy about half of the reservoir area formed due to years of brown coal extraction. The total investment for the project is estimated at approximately 116.6 million USD. The funding will consist of HSE’s own funds, loans, and support from the EU’s Just Transition Fund. The company will retain ownership rights, while its subsidiary will manage the facility. PSE Druzmirje is set to become Slovenia's largest solar project and one of Europe's most powerful floating power plants.
Project manager Simon Chizmek states that spatial planning is currently underway. A government document with a detailed plan is expected in the fourth quarter of this year. Negotiations are ongoing with local authorities, and HSE emphasizes that financial and social benefits will be distributed among the local residents.
After construction is completed, the shoreline area is planned to be transformed into a recreational-social space, combining renewable energy development with new amenities for the community. Construction is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2026, with power generation expected to start in the first quarter of 2027. The plant is anticipated to generate up to 140 GWh of electricity annually, enough to supply around 35,000 Slovenian households.
The project will surpass the record of the French floating power plant with a capacity of 74.3 MW, which was opened in June 2025. Slovenia's solar energy market is still primarily focused on residential, commercial, and industrial installations, while utility-scale projects are at early stages.
The development of PSE Druzmirje symbolizes the country's transition to large-scale grid-connected solar projects and demonstrates sustainable growth in renewable energy potential. By mid-2025, Slovenia's installed solar capacity is expected to reach 1.5 GW, increasing by 85 MW in just the first six months. In comparison, 298 MW was added in 2024, and 400 MW in 2023.
Earlier this year, the Slovenian government approved the construction of a ground-mounted solar plant with a capacity of 30 MW, which will be implemented by HSE's subsidiary Dravska elektrarna Maribor. All of this indicates a gradual strengthening of the country's position in the renewable energy sector.