J. Holjenčík: REPowerEU is an unreasonable project threatening the energy security of EU states

Bratislava – Without economic rationality, the support for renewable energy sources (RES) from the European Union is long-term unsustainable. The REPowerEU plan, which aims to help countries reduce their dependence on Russian energy and transition to renewable sources more quickly, is an unreasonable project that threatens the energy security of the Union’s member states, the Regulatory Office for Network Industries (ÚRSO) stated on Friday, TASR reports.

“Decisions in the energy sector must be rational and technically feasible, not politically motivated. For example, if nuclear fuel from Russia is included under RePowerEU, it will jeopardize the energy security of the entire European Union,” emphasized ÚRSO Chairman Jozef Holjenčík.

The EU has significantly influenced the energy mix in favor of renewable energy sources

The office reminded that the Green Deal agenda in the EU has already significantly influenced the energy mix in favor of RES, leading to an increase in hours with negative electricity prices. In 2024, ÚRSO recorded 288 trading periods with a negative price, while by the end of September 2025, there were already 293.

“Negative prices are a result of the surplus energy from RES, which the system must actively balance. Therefore, we responded by shortening the trading interval to 15 minutes and adjusting the charging for deviations,” explained Holjenčík.

ÚRSO has long advocated that electricity from RES should be produced where it is consumed to avoid inefficient transmission and instability. The regulator also considers nuclear energy to be the most economical, ecological, and reliable solution for the energy stability of the Slovak Republic and the entire region. (October 10)