December 23 (SeeNews) - Slovenian hydro power producer Dravske Elektrarne Maribor (DEM) said it will produce some 3,150 GWh of electricity this year - almost 19% above plan.
The record output is due to the favourable hydrological conditions in the country, and the excellent state of the company's facilities, DEM said in a statement earlier this week.
In the coming period, DEM plans to focus on developing new renewable energy sources, it added.
DEM is already working on preparing the necessary studies for three wind power projects that envisage the installation of 13 wind turbines at three locations in northeastern Slovenia. The planned installed capacity of the wind farms was not disclosed.
The company also plans to install a 30 MW solar park on the territory of its Zlatolicje and Formin hydro power plants, and considers the possibility of building geothermal power facilities.
DEM operates 13 large hydro power plants on the Drava river, along with four solar parks, or an overall capacity of 600 MW, producing almost 25% of Slovenia's electricity.
Its annual output of some 2,800 GWh accounts for 80% of the electricity generated from renewable energy sources in Slovenia.
DEM is part of Slovenian state-owned electricity producer and trader Holding Slovenske Elektrarne (HSE).