Slovakia already gets almost 86% of its electricity from low-carbon sources—a major achievement. Over the last 12 months, from September 2025 through August 2026, nuclear supplied about two-thirds of its electricity, hydropower around 12%, biofuels 4%, and solar 3%. Fossil sources supplied about 14%, predominantly gas at nearly 12%, with oil contributing roughly 1%. Slovakia is also a significant net electricity exporter, helping neighboring regions lower their emissions. The next challenge is to electrify transport, heating, and industry, which will require much more clean electricity.

Is Electricity Growing in Slovakia?

Slovakia’s latest figures do not establish whether electricity consumption is growing year on year, but they show that it remains below its historical peak. In 2026, consumption stood at about 5,100 kWh per person, compared with the 2002 record of roughly 6,030 kWh—a shortfall of 932 kWh, or about 15%. Low-carbon electricity generation was approximately 4,370 kWh per person, almost matching the 2002 record of 4,386 kWh but remaining 20 kWh below it. This lack of progress beyond the historical records is concerning: electrification and growing demand from AI will require substantially more electricity, especially clean electricity.

Suggestions

Slovakia can build on its strong nuclear foundation by expanding capacity at existing nuclear sites and pursuing opportunities to increase output from its established fleet. Nuclear already supplies large amounts of low-carbon electricity, making further expansion a natural pathway to support electrification while maintaining clean electricity exports. Slovakia should also expand solar generation on rooftops and suitable land, supported by stronger electricity networks, storage, and flexible demand. Together, nuclear and solar can deliver more clean electricity and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, whose use contributes to climate change and air pollution.

History

The history of Slovakia’s low-carbon electricity includes several substantial periods of growth. Nuclear generation rose by 2.3 TWh in 1986, followed by gains of 1.1 TWh in 1994 and 1.7 TWh in 1999; hydropower added 1.5 TWh in 1993. The early 2000s brought particularly strong nuclear growth, with an increase of 3.4 TWh in 2000 and another 0.8 TWh in 2002. Further nuclear gains followed in 2008 and 2011, adding 1.4 TWh and 0.8 TWh respectively, while hydropower increased by 1 TWh in 2010. More recently, 2023 was a notable year for clean electricity expansion: nuclear generation increased by 2.2 TWh and hydropower by 1.1 TWh. Nuclear added another 1 TWh in 2025, reinforcing its central role in Slovakia’s low-carbon electricity supply.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Sep 2025 – Aug 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.