Handover of Responsibilities at the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy

SLOVENIA, June 5 - Minister Kumer presented the key tasks and projects carried out during his term in the fields of environment, climate policy, energy, and sustainable mobility, and wished Minister Vrtovec every success in leading the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy. He highlighted the energy crisis resulting from the war in Ukraine as one of the greatest challenges of his mandate, noting that the opposition at the time had also demonstrated a willingness to cooperate, helping Slovenia mitigate the impact of rising electricity prices.

“I am pleased that the energy portfolio is being taken over by an experienced team. In challenging circumstances, Slovenia succeeded in ensuring a stable energy supply and mitigating the effects of the energy crisis on citizens and businesses. I am confident that the ministry will continue to successfully address the challenges of the energy transition in the future,” Minister Kumer concluded.

The new Minister for Infrastructure and Energy, Jernej Vrtovec, formally assumed responsibility for the transport and energy sectors. He noted that the arrival of Dr Tomaž Žagar, an expert in nuclear energy, as State Secretary already indicates which areas will receive particular attention during his term. In addition to accelerating procedures related to the construction of JEK2, Minister Vrtovec stated that he will focus strongly on emerging technologies in the fields of nuclear energy and artificial intelligence, as well as on large-scale energy production and small modular reactors (SMRs).

Minister Vrtovec emphasized the importance of continuity in implementing key energy and infrastructure projects and thanked his predecessor for his work. He also expressed confidence that Slovenia will continue strengthening its energy security and resilience in the years ahead.

“I hope for a calm four-year term, although many challenges lie ahead, particularly in the energy sector. Our goal is to ensure that Slovenia remains resilient to potential energy crises and continues developing a reliable, competitive, and sustainable energy system,” Minister Vrtovec said.

During the handover, both the outgoing and incoming ministers stressed the importance of a smooth transfer of responsibilities, projects, and commitments, as well as ensuring continuity in the implementation of the country's key development, transport, and energy policies.