The Slovenian government has begun deliberations on a draft law concerning the gradual closure of the Velenje coal mine, which also establishes a comprehensive legal framework for the liquidation of the Premogovnik Velenje company.
The law represents a key step in implementing the national coal phase-out strategy, which aims to end coal usage by 2033 at the latest. Coal extraction would continue until that date, after which only closure works are planned, lasting until 2045.
More than 1.1 billion euros from the state budget will be available for implementing the law until 2045, averaging around 50 million euros per year. Additional resources will also come from the company’s operations and asset sales.
The law includes provisions regarding employment and retirement measures for workers, severance payments and social support, the sale of assets not needed for business operations, environmental monitoring and rehabilitation, as well as technical and financial oversight of program implementation.
For co-financing various projects in the Savinjsko-Šaleška coal region between 2021 and 2027, 188.98 million euros are planned, co-financed by the Just Transition Fund (JTF). The Ministry for Cohesion and Regional Development (MKRR), as the managing authority, has already made project support decisions amounting to 141.94 million euros. Projects are implemented by multiple ministries acting as intermediary organisations. Currently, the following programs are ongoing:
Conversion of district heating, Phase 1Laboratory research on biomass biorefineryExpanded implementation of quality and accessible learningOld Power Plant – Centre for the FutureVelenje Technology ParkPesje Business Zone – East
Under the JTF framework for 2025–2028, new calls for proposals have been published to encourage sustainable investments, create new jobs, and support the economic transformation of regions affected by the coal phase-out.