Monitoring of Energy Legislation February 2026

See the most important legal news in the field of energy for the month of February 2026.

The Government declared a state of oil emergency in connection with the disruption of crude oil supplies via the Družba pipeline and decided to release part of the state’s strategic emergency reserves for SLOVNAFT. Energy legislation has also been affected by an amendment responding to the new EU regulation on the gradual phase-out of Russian gas imports, introducing a regime for granting exemptions by the MoE SR as well as new sanctioning powers for customs authorities.

RONI opened a discussion on changing the electricity pricing model in Europe and announced that dynamic electricity tariffs will be available to households and small businesses on a voluntary basis.

MoE SR published guidance and new application forms for compensation to electricity and gas suppliers for energy supplied to vulnerable customers in 2026, the first applications shall be submitted in March. OKTE also informed the market about the entry into force of the new Operation Order as of 1 March 2026.

At P&P, we have also prepared an article analysing five key energy changes for 2026, where you can learn more about the most important developments shaping the energy sector this year.

Read more about these and many other interesting news in our monitoring for the month of February 2026, which you can also download in PDF format.

We wish you a pleasant reading!

1.    WHAT HAS CHANGED?

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. 

2.   YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED

2.1     APPROVED LEGISLATION IN THE ENERGY SECTOR

■      Government declares a state of oil emergency

18 February 2026 – The Government of the SR adopted a resolution declaring a state of oil emergency as of 19 February 2026, in accordance with Section 13 (1) and (2) of Act No. 218/2013 Coll. on emergency oil and petroleum product stocks and on addressing oil emergency situations.

Under the resolution, the Government also decided to release up to 250 000 tonnes of crude oil in the form of a loan to Slovnaft, a.s., acting as an economic mobilization entity. The objective is to mitigate the disruption of crude oil supplies through the Družba pipeline and to ensure the continuity of production at the only refinery located in Slovakia, thereby stabilising the supply of motor fuels on the Slovak market. The loan will be time-limited until 30 September 2026 and will be subject to strict financial conditions.

This represents the activation of a statutory crisis mechanism allowing a temporary decrease of state emergency reserves below the minimum threshold. The Správa štátnych hmotných rezerv Slovenskej republiky will determine the specific volumes to be released on an ongoing basis and will keep the Government informed about developments, meaning that further operational decisions will depend on the evolution of supply conditions and market stability.

More information about the Government resolution can be found HERE. Additional details are also available in the press release of the MoE SR HERE. (Available only in the Slovak language version).

■       Amendment to the Energy Act

17 February 2026 – The President of the Slovak Republic signed an amendment to Act No. 483/2001 Coll. on Banks (Act No. 30/2026 Coll.), which, through a so-called legislative “rider”, also substantially amends Act No. 251/2012 Coll. on Energy.

The amendment responds to Regulation (EU) 2026/261, which introduces the gradual phase-out of Russian gas imports into the EU (effective from 3 February 2026, with the import ban applying from 18 March 2026). Key elements of the amendment:

• The MoE SR will become the “permitting authority” under the EU Regulation.
• The MoE SR will grant exemptions for imports of gas from the Russian Federation where contracts were concluded before 17 June 2025, during a transitional period until September 2027 (or October 2027 in connection with gas storage filling obligations).
• The amendment also introduces rules for assessing gas that does not originate from Russia but enters free circulation in Slovakia.
• Customs Office Bratislava will gain new sanctioning powers, including fines of up to EUR 40 million for legal entities and up to EUR 2.5 million for natural persons.

The amendment entered into force on the date of its promulgation, 27 February 2026, reflecting the urgency of the situation. According to the explanatory memorandum, gas suppliers were required to submit applications for exemptions already by 17 February 2026, i.e. before the import ban takes effect.

More information about the legislative process can be found HERE. The full text of the amendment is available HERE. (Available only in the Slovak language version)

2.2     POLÁČEK & PARTNERS

■      P&P: What will 2026 bring to the energy sector? Overview of the key changes

February 2026 – At Poláček & Partners, we have prepared an overview article “5 Energy Changes for 2026”, summarising the most important legislative and regulatory developments that will affect the energy sector this year.

In the article, you can learn about the key legislative amendments and regulatory decisions that will impact energy market participants and the practical implications these changes may have for energy producers, suppliers and consumers. The article provides a concise overview of the main topics expected to shape the energy sector in 2026.

The article is available on our website HERE. (Available in English language version)

2.3     REGULATORY OFFICE FOR NETWORK INDUSTRIES (RONI)

■      RONI supports measures to save Slovalco and discusses systemic support for energy-intensive industries

2 March 2026 – RONI expressed its support, in a press release, for the steps taken by the Slovak Government aimed at preserving the operations of Slovalco, one of Slovakia’s key energy-intensive industries (EII), which plays an important role in employment, exports and the stability of industrial supply chains in Slovakia.

RONI has recently prepared its own analysis of possible systemic support mechanisms for energy-intensive industries. The regulator highlights that Slovak companies face higher energy prices compared to Western Europe, stressing the necessity of state support.

According to RONI, several potential measures could strengthen the long-term competitiveness of energy-intensive industries, including:

• adjustments to TPS and TSS system charges,
• introducing imbalance tolerance mechanisms for EIIs,
• changes to reserved capacity payments,
• incentives for investments in energy efficiency,
• maximising the use of indirect CO₂ compensation schemes,
• supporting the reasonable development of renewables and the use of long-term PPAs.

RONI also offered to actively participate in discussions with industry stakeholders, energy producers and legislators with the aim of creating a stable and predictable framework for long-term energy solutions.

More details are available in the press release HERE. (Available only in the Slovak language version)

■      RONI calls for changes to electricity pricing: Slovakia bearing the cost of the German model

19 February 2026 – In its press release, the RONI pointed out that the current European electricity pricing model, which is linked to the German power exchange, is disadvantageous for Slovakia.

Electricity prices are determined by the most expensive generation source in the market, often coal- or gas-fired power plants burdened by CO₂ emission allowance costs. This mechanism increases electricity prices even for countries with cheaper and low-emission generation, such as Slovakia.

RONI is therefore analysing possible ways to reduce this dependency. One of the options being considered is the creation of a regional power exchange for countries with a similar energy mix. The aim would be to ensure that electricity prices better reflect the actual costs of generation and reduce the financial burden on households and businesses.

More details are available in the press release HERE. (Available only in the Slovak language version)

■      RONI updates practical guide on obligations for regulated entities

13 February 2026 – RONI has prepared a new “Guide for Regulated Entities”, which clearly and practically summarises the obligations of energy and water sector companies towards the regulator under the legislation effective as of 1 January 2026.

Regulated entities can find and download the guide directly from the regulator’s website HERE.

More details are available in the press release HERE. (Available only in the Slovak language version)

■      RONI: Dynamic electricity tariffs will be voluntary for households and small businesses

9 February 2026 – RONI announced that dynamic electricity tariffs, where electricity prices change throughout the day according to market conditions, will be made available as a voluntary option for all households and small businesses.

Currently, such tariffs are used mainly by industrial consumers and several thousand households. RONI aims to extend this option to a wider group of consumers, including vulnerable customers.

Consumers will be able to see electricity prices one day in advance in 15-minute intervals, allowing them to optimise their electricity consumption during cheaper periods. The current tariff system will remain in place, meaning customers can freely choose whether to switch to dynamic pricing.

More details are available in the press release HERE. (Available only in the Slovak language version)

■      RONI publishes model contracts for electricity sharing

RONI has published model contracts for electricity sharing, including a model electricity sharing agreement and an agreement on the provision of electricity sharing services, which are available for download on the regulator’s website as official reference documents for market participants.

These model contracts were prepared in line with the current market rules and are intended to serve as a standardised basis for active customers and electricity sharing service providers, for example when establishing electricity sharing groups or when administratively organising their operation.

The guidance documents aim to simplify processes related to electricity sharing within the Energy Data Centre and improve the transparency of contractual arrangements for electricity sharing between active customers or energy communities.

The templates are available directly on the RONI website HERE. (Available only in the Slovak language version)

2.4     MINISTRY OF ECONOMY OF THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC (MoE SR)

■     MoE SR: Oil supplies through the Družba pipeline remain disrupted

26 February 2026 – MoE SR announced that crude oil supplies to Slovakia via the Družba pipeline remain suspended, and the disrupted supply will not resume by the end of February 2026. Information regarding a further adjustment of the supply schedule was provided by the Ukrainian partner of the state-owned company Transpetrol, with the preliminary date for the resumption of deliveries expected at the beginning of March.

More details are available in the press release HERE.

■     MoE SR publishes guidance and a new application form for compensation for electricity and gas supplies

The MoE SR has published Guidance on providing compensation to electricity and gas suppliers for energy supplied to selected vulnerable customers in 2026.

Who can apply for compensation

Eligible applicants are:(i) electricity suppliers supplying electricity to selected vulnerable electricity customers, and(ii) gas suppliers supplying gas to selected vulnerable gas customers,to whom Government Regulation No. 359/2025 Coll. applies and who meet the statutory eligibility conditions.

Deadlines for submitting applications (electricity and gas)

The mechanism is set up identically for both commodities. Applications must be submitted electronically via the applicant’s electronic mailbox, using a qualified electronic signature or another recognised form of authorisation. The guidance specifies the following deadlines:

• For the eligible periods January 2026 and February 2026, separate applications must be submitted during March 2026.
• For each subsequent month, the supplier must submit the application no later than the end of the calendar month following the month for which the application is submitted (the “mt+1” regime).

The Ministry will pay the compensation no later than two calendar months after the end of the month for which the application is submitted (mt+2).

For further details and to download the application form and guidance, visit the website of the MoE SR HERE. (Available only in the Slovak language version)

■     MoE SR publishes guidance and a new application form for compensation for gas supplies to households

The MoE SR has published official Guidance on the ongoing payment of compensation to gas suppliers for gas supplied to household customers in 2026, together with the application form for compensation.

The compensation mechanism results from the new legislation on targeted energy assistance and the relevant government regulation establishing the conditions for reimbursing the difference between actual gas prices and the maximum price set by the state.

Who can apply: According to the guidance, gas suppliers supplying gas to household end-customers who are entitled to targeted energy assistance under the law may apply for compensation. The application form and the guidance also set out the conditions for eligible applicants, including requirements concerning financial relations, company identification number (IČO), accounting data and mandatory annexes to the application.

Deadline for submission: Applications must be submitted electronically via the applicant’s electronic mailbox, using a qualified electronic signature or another recognised form of authorisation. The guidance specifies the following deadlines:

• For the eligible periods January 2026 and February 2026, separate applications must be submitted during March 2026.
• For each subsequent month, the supplier must submit the application no later than the end of the calendar month following the month for which the application is submitted (the “mt+1” regime).

For further details and to download the application form and guidance, visit the website of the MoE SR HERE.(Available only in the Slovak language version)

2.5     SHORT-TERM ELECTRICITY MARKET OPERATOR (OKTE)

■      OKTE: New graphical interface and improved management of sharing groups

28 February 2026 – OKTE announced that on 27 February 2026 an update to the Energy Data Centre Information System (EDC) was implemented, introducing a new graphical interface designed to improve clarity and user experience, particularly for new users.

The update also expands the management options for electricity sharing groups. Users can now:

• link one or more delivery points with one or selected groups of consumption points,
• set different sharing rules for individual days of the week,
• use filters for easier navigation and management of sharing groups.

Further details are available in the announcement on the OKTE website. (Available only in the Slovak language version)

■      OKTE: New Operation Order effective from 1 March 2026

27 February 2026 – OKTE announced that a new Operation Order enters into force on 1 March 2026, following its approval by RONI on 26 February 2026.

The updated Operation Order has been published on the OKTE website and introduces revised conditions for the operation of the short-term electricity market operator, together with other operational rules applicable to all electricity market participants. We previously informed you about these changes in the January 2026 energy monitoring.

Further details, including the full text of the new Operation Order, are available on the OKTE website. (Available in English language version)

■      OKTE opens consultation on the TŠVD ISFU specification version 1.1

26 February 2026 – OKTE has published the Technical Specification for Data Exchange for ISFU – TŠVD version 1.1 for consultation by market participants.

Market participants can download the draft document and submit their comments using the provided form until 15 March 2026. The aim is to update and improve the specifications for the exchange of billing data within the ISFU system before the final version is adopted and implemented.
Further details are available on the OKTE website. (Available only in the Slovak language version) 

2.6     SLOVAK ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION SYSTEM (SEPS)

■      SEPS announces a tender for the procurement of ancillary services

12 February 2026 – SEPS announced that a tender for the procurement of ancillary services for the period 1 March 2026 – 31 March 2026 was published in the Damas Energy information system on 16 February 2026 (Monday).

Further details are available HERE. (Available only in the Slovak language version)

You can download the monitoring for the month of January 2026 in PDF format here.

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Legal notice

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.