From 1 July 2026, Slovenia will take a significant step towards a more decentralized and consumer-focused energy system by introducing a nationwide energy sharing framework. The new regime, implemented through amendments to the Electricity Supply Act (ZOEE), will allow households and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that generate electricity from renewable sources, such as solar power plants, to share surplus electricity with other consumers across the country. The reform represents one of the most notable developments in the Slovenian electricity market in recent years and forms part of the broader implementation of the EU electricity market design reforms.
From Collective Self-Consumption to Individual Energy Sharing
Until now, electricity sharing in Slovenia has been largely limited to collective self-consumption schemes, where participants had to jointly invest in a renewable energy installation and agree in advance on fixed allocation ratios. Individual prosumers lacked the ability to direct surplus generation to other consumers, and any surplus electricity exported to the grid had to be settled through their supplier, rather than being allocated to other consumers. Under the former net metering regime, excess generation was effectively balanced on an annual basis, while participants in the newer net billing system typically sold surplus electricity to suppliers at very low prices.
The new framework fundamentally changes this approach. A newly introduced right to energy sharing allows active consumers to share electricity generated from renewable sources with other eligible consumers through contractual arrangements or dedicated legal entities. The right applies to all final consumers connected to the Slovenian electricity grid, except large enterprises. While the amendment to the ZOEE entered into force in July 2025, the legislature postponed the application of the new energy-sharing regime until 1 July 2026.
How the New System Works
The amended legislation introduces the concept of “energy sharing” (souporaba energije), enabling active consumers to share electricity they either generate themselves or store in renewable energy installations that they own, lease, or otherwise control. Energy can also be transferred to another participant either free of charge or for consideration. One of the key features of the new framework is that energy sharing is not limited by geographical proximity. Consumers will be able to share surplus renewable electricity with other eligible users anywhere in Slovenia, regardless of whether they live in the same municipality or region. The scheme will be accessible to most households, while large enterprises and arrangements constituting a commercial energy-sharing business remain outside its scope.
A key feature of the system is the use of smart meters that register consumption and production in 15-minute settlement intervals. Electricity injected into the grid and shared with another participant is allocated according to predetermined sharing percentages and deducted from the recipient’s measured consumption within the relevant 15-minute balancing period. This creates a near real-time mechanism for transferring renewable generation to other users.
The framework also permits specialised third-party “energy sharing organisers” to facilitate contractual arrangements, billing, communication with suppliers and distribution operators, and the operation of generation and storage assets. Organisers must ensure transparent and non-discriminatory service conditions. Notably, while energy market participants carrying out regulated energy activities cannot themselves participate in energy sharing arrangements as beneficiaries or contributors, they may act as energy sharing organisers
Regulatory and Technical Requirements
Implementation of the new regime depends on significant preparatory work by the distribution system operator. The distribution system operator is tasked with establishing the operational framework for energy sharing, including registration processes, dedicated contact points for participants, the collection and validation of metering data, and the adoption of detailed technical rules governing the implementation of energy-sharing arrangements.
Active consumers must notify the relevant electricity system operator and all affected market participants, including their electricity suppliers, of any energy sharing agreement or subsequent amendment at least two weeks before the arrangement becomes effective.
The system is designed around advanced metering infrastructure and granular consumption and production data, reflecting the broader digitalisation of electricity networks across Europe.
Part of a Wider Energy Market Reform
Although energy sharing is likely to attract the greatest public attention, amendments to the ZOEE introduced a broader package of electricity market reforms. The law implements elements of Directive (EU) 2024/1711 and Regulation (EU) 2024/1747 concerning the reform of the EU electricity market design.
Among other measures, the legislation:
- introduces a right to fixed-price electricity supply contracts with a minimum one-year duration and corresponding supplier risk-management obligations;
- creates a framework for flexible grid connections in areas affected by network congestion;
- strengthens transparency requirements regarding available grid capacity for new connections;
- promotes non-fossil flexibility resources and energy storage;
- establishes a framework for temporary electricity price controls during energy supply crises.
Outlook
The introduction of nationwide energy sharing marks a significant evolution of Slovenia’s renewable energy landscape. By allowing households and SMEs to transfer surplus renewable generation beyond traditional collective self-consumption arrangements, the reform empowers consumers to play a more active role in the energy transition. It also reflects the EU’s broader objective of transforming electricity consumers from passive users into active market participants.
Prepared by Patricija Resnik.
