13 MAY 2026
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SENIOR ASSOCIATE
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
See the most
important legal news in the field of energy for the month of April 2026.
RONI has
launched extensive regulatory and legislative changes in the energy sector by
initiating public consultation procedures on several key decrees that
significantly affect the rules of the electricity and gas markets, as well as
price regulation. At the same time, it has decided to increase gas transmission
tariffs effective as of 1 May 2026.
The Government has approved an amendment to the
regulation on targeted energy aid, as well as adjustments to the levy paid to
the National Nuclear Fund, reflecting the situation of energy-intensive
undertakings.
A new Operation Order of OKTE entered into
force on 1 May 2026, together with changes to the system of guarantees of
origin, including a new auction format.
At P&P, we have prepared an article
providing our perspective on the potential of on-site PPAs as a tool for
reducing electricity costs, despite persisting regulatory barriers.
Read more about these and many other interesting news
in our monitoring for the month of April 2026, which you
can also download in PDF format.
We wish you a pleasant
reading!
ELECTRIC ENERGY AND GAS INDUSTRY Act no. 309/2009 Coll. on the support of RES no Act no. 250/2012 Coll. on Regulation no Act no. 251/2012 Coll. on Energy no Act no. 321/2014 Coll. on energy efficiency no Act no. 609/2007 Coll. on excise duty on electricity, coal and natural gas no Act no. 555/2005 Coll. on energy efficiency of buildings no Act no. 260/2025 Coll. on Targeted Energy Assistance no RONI Decree no. 490/2009 Coll., laying down details on the support of RES no RONI Decree no. 92/2023 Coll., laying down the conditions of the tender procedure for the provision of electricity storage facility services no RONI Decree no. 207/2023 Coll., establishing the rules for the functioning of the internal electricity market no RONI Decree no. 208/2023 Coll., establishing the rules for the functioning of the internal natural gas market no RONI Decree no. 230/2023 Coll., establishing the content requirements of the distribution system development plan no RONI Decree no. 285/2012 Coll., establishing price regulation for the supply of natural gas to small businesses no Vyhláška ÚRSO č. 147/2024 Z. z., ktorou sa ustanovuje cenová regulácia regulovaných činností v plynárenstve no RONI Decree no. 154/2024 Coll., establishing price regulation in electric energy industry and some conditions for the performance of selected regulated activities in the electric energy industry no RONI Decree no. 278/2012 Coll., establishing quality standards for gas storage, gas transportation, gas distribution and gas supply no RONI Decree no. 236/2016 Coll., establishing quality standards for electricity transmission, electricity distribution and electricity supply no RONI Decree no. 284/2012 Coll. on the rules for the sale of electricity in the form of auctions no Decree of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic no. 599/2009 Coll., implementing certain provisions of the Act on the support of RES no Decree of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic no. 270/2012 Coll. on professional competence for carrying out business activities in the energy sector no Decree of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic no. 416/2012 Coll., establishing the details of the procedure for applying restrictive measures in a state of emergency and measures aimed at eliminating the state of emergency in the electric energy industry no Decree of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic no. 106/2019 Coll., establishing the list of authorized industries, the scope and structure of the administration and the method of providing compensation to entrepreneurs no Decree of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic no. 202/2019 Coll., establishing the conditions for participation in the auction for the selection of the electricity purchaser and determining the amount of the electricity purchaser's remuneration no Decree of the Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic no. 354/2025 Coll. on criteria for the development of wind energy no Government Regulation of the Slovak Republic no. 353/2025 Coll., implementing certain provisions of the Act on targeted energy support. yes Government Regulation no. 359/2025 Coll., establishing the maximum price for a portion of the regulated supply of electricity, gas, and heat for selected vulnerable customers for the year 2026. no THERMAL ENERGY Act no. 657/2004 Coll., on thermal energy no RONI Decree no. 312/2022 Coll., establishing price regulation in thermal energy no RONI Decree no. 277/2012 Coll., establishing heat supply quality standards no RONI Decree no. 328/2005 Coll., determining the method of verifying the economic efficiency of the operation of the heating facilities system, the energy efficiency indicators of heat production and heat distribution facilities, the normative indicators of heat consumption, the range of economically justified costs for the verification of the economic efficiency of the operation of the heating facilities system and the method of payment of these costs no Vyhláška ÚRSO č. 146/2024 Z. z., ktorou sa ustanovuje rozsah ekonomicky oprávnených nákladov vyvolaných odpojením sa odberateľa od sústavy tepelných zariadení dodávateľa a spôsob ich výpočtu no RONI Decree no. 167/2025 Coll., establishing application templates for conducting business in the heat energy sector no Decree of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic no. 151/2005 Coll., establishing the procedure for preventing the occurrence and removing the consequences of a state of emergency in the thermal energy industry no Decree of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic no. 152/2005 Coll. on the specified time and on the specified quality of heat supply for the end consumer no Decree of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic no. 15/2016 Coll., establishing the method of calculating the annual heat production in the production of electricity no Decree of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic no. 503/2022 Coll., establishing the temperature of hot water at the take-off point and the rules for budgeting costs for the amount of heat supplied in hot water, costs for the amount of heat supplied for heating, costs for the amount of heat supplied or the amount of heat produced in a decentralized heat source and economically justified costs for heat produced in a decentralized heat source no Decree of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic no. 308/2016 Coll. establishing the procedure for calculating the primary energy factor of the centralized heat supply system no Decree of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic no. 14/2016 Coll., establishing technical requirements for thermal insulation of heat and hot water distribution systems no
Note: In our monitoring of energy legislation, we monitor
for you the changes to the above-mentioned legal regulations, which were
published in the Collection of Laws of the Slovak Republic last month.
29 April 2026 – The Government of the Slovak Republic
approved an amendment
to Government Regulation No. 68/2026, which supplements Government Regulation
No. 353/2025 Coll., implementing certain provisions of the Act on Targeted
Energy Aid, as amended.
The amendment is of a technical and implementation
nature and reflects findings from practical application, in particular in
relation to the reassessment of eligibility for energy aid and the delivery of
energy vouchers in 2026.
The changes mainly concern:
clarification of the rules
for the delivery of energy vouchers (now only to adults);
adjustment of the value of
energy vouchers in 2026 in line with the system’s ramp-up phase;
introduction of clearer
rules for situations where, following reassessment, entitlement arises or
ceases as of 1 May 2026, including the possibility of settling differences in
subsequent vouchers.
The aim of the amendment is to simplify the practical
implementation of the targeted energy aid scheme during the transitional year
2026, without significant impacts on public finances or the business
environment. The amendment enters into force on the date of its promulgation,
i.e. 1 May 2026.
More
information is available HERE. (Available
only in the Slovak language version)
22 April 2026 – The Government of the Slovak Republic
adopted a material aimed at ensuring the fulfilment of the objectives of the
Recovery and Resilience Plan in the field of renewable energy sources,
specifically wind energy. The core of the material is the preparation of a
strategic document entitled “Acceleration Areas for Wind Energy in the
Slovak Republic”, which is intended to identify so-called “go-to areas”,
i.e. territories suitable for the accelerated development of wind power
projects.
More information is
available HERE. (Available
only in the Slovak language version)
22
April 2026 – The Government of the
Slovak Republic adopted an amendment to Government Regulation No. 21/2019
Coll., which governs the amount and mechanism of the levy used to cover the
historical debt from supplied electricity.
The amendment primarily
responds to the need to address situations of energy-intensive undertakings
whose operations were interrupted (e.g. due to crisis events) and subsequently
resumed, where the previous framework did not allow them to fairly apply a reduced
(effective) levy rate. The amendment therefore introduces a mechanism enabling
such undertakings, upon resumption of their activities, to base the calculation
of the effective levy rate on historical data from before the interruption. At
the same time, it precisely defines the conditions for interruption and
resumption of activities, as well as notification obligations towards the
ministry and system operators.
The amendment was
promulgated in the Collection of Laws as Government
Regulation No. 66/2026 Coll. and entered into force on 29 April 2026.
More information is
available HERE. (Available
only in the Slovak language version)
21 April 2026 – In our latest
article, we explored the concept of on-site PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements),
which represent the direct supply of electricity from a renewable energy source
located within the consumer’s premises. This model enables companies to achieve
lower electricity costs by avoiding part of the regulated charges, while also
ensuring greater price stability and cost predictability.
At the same time, the article highlights that despite its clear economic
and environmental benefits, on-site PPAs cannot currently be implemented
effectively in Slovakia. The main reasons are existing legislative and
regulatory barriers. In conclusion, we emphasise that establishing a clear
legal framework for on-site PPAs could significantly support the development of
renewable energy sources, increase the energy independence of businesses, and
strengthen their competitiveness, while also contributing to the fulfilment of
obligations arising from EU law.
More details are available in our article HERE. (Available only in the Slovak language version)
17 April 2026 – RONI informs that
interdepartmental consultation procedures have been launched on the Slov-Lex
portal for four draft decrees in the fields of electricity and gas.
Specifically, the proposals concern amendments to decrees on:
The consultation
procedures were carried out within the standard period of 15 working days, from
17 April 2026 to 11 May 2026.
From a practical perspective, this represents an important legislative
package that may significantly affect regulatory frameworks in the electricity
and gas sectors (including pricing and market rules). We therefore recommend
paying increased attention to these proposals and considering active
participation in the consultation process. We will continue to keep you
informed of further developments.
More information is available in the press release HERE. (Available
only in the Slovak language version)
13 April 2026 – RONI issued price
decision No. 0040/2026/P for eustream, introducing adjustments to
tariffs for access to the transmission network and gas transmission as of 1 May
2026. According to available information, this represents an increase of
approximately 10% in transmission
fees (around +€0.19/MWh).
The price adjustment is primarily driven by a significant decline in
transported gas volumes, mainly due to the suspension of transit via Ukraine,
which has substantially affected the utilisation of the transmission
infrastructure. While eustream originally requested a much higher increase
(exceeding 70%), RONI approved a more moderate rise. Transmission tariffs
account for only a small portion of the final gas price (in the range of a few
percent).
The decision also confirms the continuing pressure on price regulation
resulting from changing gas flows and lower utilisation of the transmission
network, which will primarily affect wholesale and cross-border transmission
relationships. More details are available in the price decision HERE. (Available
only in the Slovak language version)
9 April 2026 – RONI informs that,
as part of streamlining data collection, it has changed the method for
submitting mandatory reports by electricity producers under Act No. 251/2012
Coll. on Energy, effective from 1 April 2026.
Under the new system, producers are required to submit data exclusively
via an online form.
The obligation to provide data arises from Act No. 251/2012 Coll. on
Energy, pursuant to which producers must annually, by 30 May, submit to the
authority data for the previous year, expected data for the current year, and
planned data for the following year. This includes, in particular, information
on electricity generation in their own facilities, own consumption (including
consumption during generation), as well as the supply of generated electricity.
More information is available in the press release HERE. (Available only in the Slovak language version)
29 April 2026 – MoE SR announced in a press release that the Government of the Slovak
Republic has approved a package of key measures aimed at ensuring sufficient
gas supplies for the upcoming heating season 2026/2027.
The objective of the
adopted measures is to strengthen Slovakia’s energy security and minimise risks
associated with potential disruptions in gas supply. The material primarily
focuses on ensuring adequate filling of gas storage facilities, diversification
of supply sources, and creating conditions for the stable functioning of the
gas market.
More information is
available in the press release HERE, as well as in the Government meeting materials HERE. (Available
only in the Slovak language version)
24 April 2026 – MoE SR informed that the European Commission has presented to Member
States a package of measures entitled “Accelerate EU”, aimed at addressing
rising energy prices driven by geopolitical tensions, particularly in the
Middle East. According to available data, EU expenditure on energy commodity
imports has increased by approximately €23 billion, while supply remains tight
for certain products (such as diesel and aviation fuel).
The package covers a
broad range of measures – spanning energy, transport, investment, taxation, and
state aid rules. Particular attention is given to mitigating the impact of high
electricity prices on businesses, including consideration of instruments such
as direct compensation, tax reductions, and more flexible use of existing EU
funding mechanisms.
More information is
available in the press release HERE. (Available
only in the Slovak language version)
23 April 2026 – MoE SR announced that, in the early morning hours (around 2:00 a.m.),
oil deliveries to Slovakia via the Družba pipeline were resumed. Supplies are
currently proceeding in accordance with the agreed schedule and technical
pumping parameters.
More information is available in the press release HERE. (Available
only in the Slovak language version)
29 April 2026 – OKTE announced the
introduction of a new auction format for electricity guarantees of origin,
along with the opening of the sell-side to a broader market. This represents a
significant shift in how the guarantees of origin system operates in Slovakia.
The key changes include in particular:
Further details are available in the official
announcement on OKTE’s
website. (Available also in the English language version)
29 April 2026 – OKTE announced the
entry into force of a new Operation Order as of 1 May 2026. The updated
rules reflect current developments in the electricity market and build on
previous legislative and procedural changes within the Energy Data Centre
(EDC).
The amendment follows a broader package of
updates implemented within year 2026,
including new EDC functionalities and a prior public consultation on the
proposed changes to the Operation Order.
The current version of
the OKTE Operation Order is available online HERE (Available only in the Slovak language version).
Further details can be found in the official
announcement on OKTE’s
website. (Available also in the English language version)
22 April 2026 – OKTE published an
additional notice (the second in sequence) regarding the statutory obligation
of sharing group administrators to conclude a Contract on the Evaluation of
Electricity Sharing. This obligation stems from the amendment to Act No.
251/2012 Coll. on Energy.
The contract constitutes a necessary condition
for the operation of electricity sharing groups and is concluded via the EDC
(Energy Data Centre) system.
Building on its previous communication, OKTE
again emphasizes that without concluding this contract, it will not be possible
to establish or modify sharing groups. A deadline has been set, after which
compliance becomes mandatory – as of 1 June 2026, no sharing group may
be created or amended without a duly concluded Contract on the Evaluation of
Electricity Sharing.
Further details are available in the official
announcement on OKTE’s
website. (Available only in the Slovak language version)
29 April 2026 – SEPS launched a public
consultation on the document “Scenarios for the Ten-Year Transmission System
Development Plan for 2028–2037”, which serves as a basis for the
preparation of the future investment and development plan of the transmission
system.
The consultation runs from 30
April 2026 to 15 May 2026.
Stakeholders may submit
their comments during this period via the form published by SEPS,
electronically to the designated email address. The document reflects the
statutory obligations of the transmission system operator in planning system
development under applicable energy legislation.
The consultation document is
available online (Available only in the Slovak language version).
Further information can be
found on SEPS’s website. (Available only in the Slovak language version)
17
April 2026 – SEPS informed that RONI issued Decision No.
0003/2026/E-PP on 2 April 2026, approving an amendment to the Operational Rules
of the transmission system operator (TSO).
The public consultation on the proposed changes took place in January 2026, and we previously informed you about the planned amendments in our January monitoring.
The approved changes primarily concern flexible connection and more efficient use of connection capacity, reflecting increasing demands for optimising the utilisation of the transmission system. In addition, the amendment introduces updates to contractual procedures, clarifies sanction mechanisms, and revises related forms. It also includes additional information on planned capacity auctions.
Further details are available in the official information, and the decision is accessible online. (Available only in the Slovak language version)
The Environmental Fund has updated the documentation
related to the Modernization Fund call aimed at supporting RES generation and
high-efficiency combined heat and power generation (CHP). New guidelines and
documents for beneficiaries are now available. More information can be found at this link and this link. (Available only in the
Slovak language version)
Annexes to the beneficiary guidelines have been published in connection with the call focused on the modernization of energy systems, particularly in the areas of heating, CHP, heat/cooling distribution systems, including energy storage and improvements in energy efficiency.
The expected allocation is up to EUR 150 million.
The documents are available directly HERE, and further information about the call is available at this link. (Available only in the Slovak language version)
A new Modernization
Fund call is being prepared to support electricity generation from RES,
electricity storage, and renewable hydrogen production.
The expected
allocation is up to EUR 150 million
annually, with an aid intensity of 30 - 50 %.
The support is
intended to cover both new construction projects and the modernization of
existing facilities. The launch of the call is expected in Q1–Q2 2027, while
consultations are taking place during 2026. The form for submission of
investment proposals is available at this link. (Available
only in the Slovak language version)
In 2026, a call is
expected to support facilities for electricity generation from RES and green
hydrogen, including smart energy systems and energy storage solutions. The call
will target projects located in the Banská Bystrica Region. The call schedule is
available at this link. (Available
only in the Slovak language version)
This section of the
monitoring report was prepared in cooperation with EOSNEBOTRA, a.s.
You can download the monitoring for the month of April 2026 in PDF format here.
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The information provided to the subscriber as part of the monitoring of energy legislation is not a source of legally binding legislation, as only the collection of laws of the Slovak Republic contains the legally binding wording of the legislation in terms of the legal code of the Slovak Republic. The information provided to the subscriber is only informative and does not replace legal service pursuant to the Act no. 586/2003 Coll. on advocacy. The law firm POLÁČEK & PARTNERS s.r.o. is not responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided in the energy legislation monitoring. In case of questions regarding the information provided to the subscriber, the subscriber can ask the law firm POLÁČEK & PARTNERS s.r.o. for the provision of legal services for this purpose.
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