Slovenia to complete coal phase-out by 2033 - govt minister

"This is the optimal year when we can also provide enough funding for the region's restructuring. In the first phase, we can receive around 240 million euro from the EU Commission, which can be linked to various tenders," Vrtovec said on Monday, according to a video file posted on the website of public broadcaster RTV.

The government has prepared a strategy to provide 5,000 jobs for people employed in coal-fired power plants and the Velenje coal mine, Vrtovec said during a visit to the 884 MW Sostanj coal-fired power plant TES.

Sostanj recorded a loss of about 250 million euro ($295 million) in 2020, and the price of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is approaching 65 euro per tonne, which should lead to quick government decisions, Vrtovec said.

The country also operates the 123 MW Ljubljana coal-fired heat and power station which delivers 90% of the remotely generated heat in Slovenia's capital.

($ = 0.8458 euro)