Production and Distribution of Thermal Energy in the Municipality of Maribor

The main activity of the company Energetika Maribor is the production and distribution of thermal energy in the Municipality of Maribor. They can boast of more than 40 years of tradition, knowledge and experience in the production and distribution of thermal energy. They supply heat to approximately 13,000 residential units and 360 other consumption points with a total length of 38 km.

The total capacity of all production facilities in the Energetika Maribor Group is 107 MW of heat and 18 MW of electricity. In total, they produce approx. 115,500 MWh of heat and 89,500 MWh of electricity per year. About 60% of the energy generated is obtained from highly efficient heat and electricity cogeneration plants. In 2019, they installed five heat storage systems with a total capacity of 1,000 m3 thus achieving approx. 14,500 MWh of primary energy savings per year.

The city of Maribor wants to be as energy self-sufficient as possible in the future. In the field of district heating, it will achieve more than 60% energy self-sufficiency by planning the expansion of the hot water network and connecting facilities in densely populated areas by 2030 with the introduction of renewable energy sources and the sensible use of energy from waste.

In order to ensure the greatest possible energy self-sufficiency and independence from global energy markets, Energetika Maribor has developed a strategy for the transition of heat production to renewables and for as much self-sufficiency as possible. In 2019, they installed solar collectors on the office building of the Energetika Maribor, and in 2021, they installed solar power plants in the remaining free areas. The project with a hightemperature heat pump with an output of 2.4 MW, which will exploit the energy potential of the Drava River, is also in the start-up phase.

One of the key projects that would have an extremely strong impact on the city’s energy self-sufficiency and the lowering of heat prices is certainly the installation of a waste energy system with a total capacity of about 26 MW of heat and 15 MW of electricity and would focus on the energetic use of 40,000 tonnes of waste from northeastern Slovenia per year.

They will follow national and European directives with all measures and strategic orientations. With all measures, they will achieve a reduction of CO2 emissions, ensure price competitiveness and make a major contribution to eradicating energy poverty.

This best practice is issued from our publication Sustainable Regions in Action 2022. Read it now to discover many more best practices from FEDARENE members as well as an overview of our activities.