30.01.2026
Energy Efficiency and the Use of Renewable Energy Sources in Companies in the Posočje Region
On 13 January 2026, the 4th Roundtable of the EENOVA project was held in Kobarid, Slovenia, highlighting practical experiences of companies in implementing energy efficiency (EE) measures and renewable energy sources (RES). The event brought together company representatives, experts from the fields of energy and agri-food, and other key stakeholders.
The central focus of the event was the presentation of the validated EENOVA model, which, through a sequence of roundtables, links energy audits, identifies critical factors, develops action plans, and builds feasible scenarios. In practice, the model has proven to be an effective tool for transferring energy audit findings from the level of individual companies to collaboration at value-chain level, while also supporting companies in moving from analysis to concrete implementation.
Practical experiences of companies in Posočje region
Planika Dairy presented one of the most advanced examples of value-chain cooperation. In 2026, together with its owner, the Agricultural Cooperative Tolmin (KZ Tolmin), the company will launch an energy community in which a photovoltaic power plant at the Bogata site will also supply electricity to its retail stores. Currently, Planika already covers around 40% of its electricity demand with solar power and is implementing measures related to building envelopes, heating systems, and motor drives. Future plans include the implementation of measures identified in the energy audit, such as the installation of an electric steam boiler and the recovery of condensate. The importance of expert support from IRI UL and BF UL was particularly emphasised.
Representatives of management and maintenance from Mahle Bovec highlighted that energy efficiency in the automotive industry is increasingly addressed already at the process design stage. Customers are more frequently requesting environmental impact data for products, where even minor changes to a final product can significantly affect market acceptance. Sustainability and energy-efficiency requirements are therefore increasingly transferred along the supply chain. Special attention was given to energy efficiency in compressed air systems, lighting, and energy management during non-production periods.
The technologist and maintenance manager from Alpija, operating within KZ Tolmin, pointed out the complexity of energy challenges across the entire value chain, from production to retail, which is particularly demanding for smaller companies.
TIK Kobarid, a manufacturer of single-use medical devices, presented the installation of photovoltaic systems and the gradual replacement of equipment with more energy-efficient alternatives. Due to strong international competition, energy efficiency is also crucial for the company’s cost competitiveness.
The discussion also included representatives of the family-owned company Mica (Rupar plastika) and the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Nova Gorica (KGZ Nova Gorica), who highlighted the importance of the economic evaluation of measures, the availability of high-quality data, and the integration of energy, environmental, and market requirements (ESG, product carbon footprint, logistics).
From energy audits to value chains
The discussion showed that companies often place energy issues at the forefront only when faced with high energy prices or growing consumer expectations. Participants agreed that long-term impact is achieved primarily through value-chain cooperation, joint projects, and the early integration of energy considerations into strategic decision-making. Recent turbulence in energy markets has been a key trigger for a more systematic approach to energy efficiency measures.
Through these activities, the EENOVA project reaffirms its role as a platform for connecting companies, transferring good practices, and developing a replicable and transferable model for the energy transition, applicable across other sectors and regions as well.