URSO: RePowerEU Irrational Project Undermining EU Security

Bratislava, 12 October (TASR) – Without economic rationality, the European Union's (EU) support for renewable energy sources is unsustainable in the long term, according to the Office for the Regulation of Network Industries (URSO). URSO on Friday (October 10) criticised the REPowerEU plan, which is aimed at reducing dependence on Russian energy and accelerating the shift to renewables, calling it an irrational project that threatens the energy security of EU-member states. "Decisions in the energy sector must be rational and technically feasible, not politically motivated. For example, if nuclear fuel from Russia is included under REPowerEU restrictions, it will jeopardise the energy security of the entire European Union," stated URSO chair Jozef Holjencik. URSO noted that the EU's Green Deal agenda has already significantly reshaped the energy mix in favour of renewable energy sources, leading to an increase in hours with negative electricity prices. In 2024, URSO recorded 288 trading periods with negative prices; by the end of September 2025, this number had already risen to 293. "Negative prices are a result of renewable energy source surpluses that the grid must actively balance. That's why we responded by shortening the trading interval to 15 minutes and adjusting the imbalance in pricing," explained Holjencik. URSO has long advocated that electricity from renewable energy sources should be generated close to where it is consumed in order to avoid inefficient transmission and grid instability. The regulator also views nuclear energy as the most economical, ecological and reliable solution for Slovakia's and the region's energy stability. mf/df