Slovakia has smaller resources of several minerals, including iron, aluminum, copper, mercury, manganese, lead, zinc, salt and coal and lignite. More than half of the energy needs are covered by oil and natural gas, which are mainly imported from Russia.
Most important domestic energy production takes place in coal-fired power plants, but Slovakia is trying to reduce its dependence on the environmentally destructive lignite. Hydropower is significant, not least since the Gabčíkovo-Nagymoros dam in the Danube was commissioned. In 2011, 56 percent of electricity generation came from nuclear power, 15 percent from hydropower and 29 percent from thermal power plants.
COUNTRYAAH: Major exports by Slovakia with a full list of the top products exported by the country. Includes trade value in U.S. dollars and the percentage for each product category.
A major blow to the energy supply was when Slovakia, with the 2004 accession, promised to shut down two of the reactors at the old nuclear power plant in Bohunice. This also happened in 2006 and 2008, respectively, which is why the country was transformed from a net exporter of electricity to a net importer. At the same time, however, the construction of two new reactors was started in the more modern nuclear power plant in Mochove. The reactors are expected to be ready in 2013–2014. Together with a Czech energy company, a brand new nuclear power plant is also being built in Bohunice. Resistance to Slovak nuclear power plants is great in neighboring Austria, where residents worry about safety.
Abbreviationfinder: A popular acronym site in the world covering abbreviation for each country. For example, SK stands for Slovakia. Visit itypeusa for more information about Slovakia.
FACTS – ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Energy use per person
3,004 kilograms of oil equivalent (2015)
Electricity consumption per person
5137 kilowatt hours, kWh (2014)
Carbon dioxide emissions in total
30 678 thousand tonnes (2014)
Carbon dioxide emissions per inhabitant
5.7 tonnes (2014)
The share of energy from renewable sources
13.4 percent (2015)
2015
December
Appeals quota system
Slovakia appeals to the EU’s plan to distribute 160,000 refugees among the member states under a quota system. The appeal is filed with the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. According to the plan, Slovakia would be forced to accept just under 2,300 refugees.
September
No to EU refugee policy
Prime Minister Robert Fico does not accept the EU’s refugee reception quota system. Fico says that Slovakia should appeal the decision to the European Court of Justice.
June
Protest against refugee policy
At least 140 people have been arrested since the outbreak of violence during an immigration-critical demonstration in Bratislava. The demonstration, led by an Islamic hostile organization, is being organized in protest against the EU’s desire to force all member states to accept refugees under a quota system. 8,000 people are expected to participate in the protest.
February
Same-sex marriage remains invalid
The referendum on same-sex marriage, the right of adoption for same-sex couples and compulsory sex education in schools are declared invalid as only about 21 percent of eligible voters participate. A valid result requires at least 50 percent. Same-sex marriage is thus still invalid.
