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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 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶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