Energy policies of IEA countries: Slovak Republic 2011: The Slovak Republic

The Slovak Republic imports virtually all of its natural gas and crude oil from a single supplier, the Russian Federation. Energy security is therefore an overarching concern and priority in the Slovak Republic's energy policy agenda. The government is taking steps to diversify supplies and build on lessons learned from the gas supply disruption in 2009. Enhancing regional co-operation, particularly in the development of gas and electricity interconnections, is an essential step towards meeting the dual policy objectives of enhancing energy security and market competition. The Slovak Republic has moved forward with coupling its electricity market with the Czech Republic's, and supports the construction of a North-South pipeline connection that would link planned LNG terminals in Croatia and Poland, including an interconnector to Hungary. Despite a sharp decline in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions since 1990, the Slovak Republic remains a GHG-intensive economy by ENERGY POLICIES OF IEA COUNTRIES - THE SLOVAK REPUBLIK 2012 REVIEW TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND KEY RECOMMENDATIONS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY KEY RECOMMENDATIONS PART I - POLICY ANALYSIS 2. GENERAL ENERGY POLICY COUNTRY OVERVIEW SUPPLY AND DEMAND ENERGY POLICY INSTITUTIONS KEY ENERGY POLICY DIRECTIONS ENERGY SECURITY REGIONAL INITIATIVES MARKET REFORMS ENERGY PRICES, TAXES AND SUBSIDIES CRITIQUE RECOMMENDATIONS 3. ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE CO2 EMISSIONS FROM FUEL COMBUSTION TARGETS AND OBJECTIVES EMISSIONS PROJECTIONS POLICIES AND MEASURES AIR QUALITY CRITIQUE RECOMMENDATIONS 4. ENERGY EFFICIENCY OVERVIEW INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK POLICIES AND MEASURES CRITIQUE RECOMMENDATIONS PART II - SECTOR ANALYSIS 5. RENEWABLE ENERGY SUPPLY AND DEMAND RENEWABLE ENERGY POTENTIAL AND CURRENT USE POLICIES AND MEASURES GRID ACCESS AND STABILITY CRITIQUE RECOMMENDATIONS 6. NATURAL GAS SUPPLY AND DEMAND INDUSTRY STRUCTURE MARKET REFORM INFRASTRUCTURE GAS SECURITY POLICY PRICES AND TARIFFS CRITIQUE RECOMMENDATIONS 7. OIL SUPPLY, DEMAND AND IMPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE EMERGENCY RESPONSE POLICY AND EMERGENCY ORGANISATION EMERGENCY OIL RESERVES PRICES AND TAXES RECOMMENDATIONS 8. COAL SUPPLY AND DEMAND LIGNITE MINING COAL‐FIRED POWER PLANTS COAL POLICY AND SUBSIDIES CRITIQUE RECOMMENDATIONS 9. ELECTRICITY SUPPLY AND DEMAND INDUSTRY STRUCTURE POLICY DIRECTIONS AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS PRICES AND TARIFFS CRITIQUE RECOMMENDATIONS 10. HEAT SUPPLY AND DEMAND MARKET STRUCTURE POLICY FRAMEWORK REGULATION PRICES CRITIQUE 11. NUCLEAR ENERGY BACKGROUND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS PRESENT STATUS OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS CRITIQUE RECOMMENDATIONS PART III - ENERGY TECHNOLOGY 12. ENERGY TECHNOLOGY AND R&D RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT POLICY INSTITUTIONS NATIONAL R&D BUDGET KEY RESEARCH AREAS AND SELECTED PROJECTS INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION CRITIQUE RECOMMENDATIONS PART IV - ANNEXES ANNEX A: ORGANISATION OF THE REVIEW ANNEX B: ENERGY BALANCES AND KEY STATISTICAL DATA ANNEX C: INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY “SHARED GOALS” ANNEX D: GLOSSARY AND LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS The Slovak Republic imports virtually all of its natural gas and crude oil from a single supplier, the Russian Federation. Energy security is therefore an overarching concern and priority in the Slovak Republic#x81;fs energy policy agenda. The government is taking steps to diversify supplies and build on lessons learned from the gas supply disruption in 2009. . Enhancing regional co-operation, particularly in the development of gas and electricity interconnections, is an essential step towards meeting the dual policy objectives of enhancing energy security and market competition. The Slovak Republ