Slovenia advances Mokrice hydroelectric plant project

The Slovenian government has approved a decision that paves the way for the construction of the Mokrice hydroelectric plant on the Sava River. The project developer, Hidroelektrarna na Spodnji Savi (HESS), stated that construction could begin as early as 2027, provided no further legal proceedings arise.

The plant is intended to provide renewable electricity for more than 30,000 households and improve flood safety in the lower Posavje region. HESS officials noted that the project involved cross-border consultations and aims to be one of the most environmentally modern hydroelectric plants.

However, the project faces opposition from Croatia due to its proximity to the border, located only 500 meters from the Croatian side. Concerns raised include potential ecological threats to the Sava River in Croatia and risks to the drinking water supply for the region, including the city of Zagreb. Experts suggest that the Slovenian project could be complemented by Croatia’s planned Zaprešić multi-purpose hydro-technical system to stabilize water flow and regulate the river.