The Slovak Republic should do more to enhance its energy security and reduce its dependence on Russia for fuel imports, says the International Energy Agency (IEA).
The country needs to diversify its energy resources, improve regional cooperation and continue its efforts to improve energy efficiency, according to a review of energy policies by the Paris-based energy agency.
The Slovak Republic imports virtually all of its oil and gas from Russia. The risks of being so dependent on a single supplier became apparent in 2009 when supplies from Russia were disrupted by a dispute between Russia and the Ukraine, and have also been thrown into sharp focus this month, when supplies fell due to the cold weather snap across Eastern Europe.
“Energy security is a top priority in the Slovak Republic’s energy policy agenda,” said IEA executive director Maria van der Hoeven. “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 IEA report notes that efforts have already been made to improve regional interconnections. The Slovak Republic has coupled its electricity market with the Czech Republic, and it supports the construction of a North-South gas pipeline via the Slovak Republic that would link planned LNG terminals in Croatia and Poland, and would include an interconnector to Hungary.
The report notes that the Slovak Republic has made “impressive” progress in energy efficiency.
