Slovenian Eco Fund subsidies for industrial heating

Eko sklad (Slovenian Environmental Public Fund) is the public source of finance for energy-efficiency investments. For businesses, municipalities and budget users it offers non-refundable subsidies and soft loans for replacing inefficient heating systems.

For industrial heating (gas radiant heaters, condensing unit heaters, regulation) the subsidy covers the investment delta that would otherwise burden the payback period. A €50 000 condensing investment with a 30 % subsidy (€15 000) effectively pays back in 1.5 years instead of 3.5.

Who is eligible

Eko sklad distinguishes three applicant groups:

• Legal entities (commercial companies and sole traders): subsidy up to 30 % of eligible costs. Condition: registered activity in Slovenia, no outstanding tax obligations.
• Municipalities and public-law entities: subsidy up to 50 % for replacing heating systems in public facilities (sports halls, schools, kindergartens, cultural centres).
• Industrial facility owners in energy-intensive activities: additional advantages under the OPS programme (energy-saving operation), up to a further 20 % on top of the base subsidy.

Which programmes cover industrial heating

Current programmes (2026):

1. Energy-efficiency support in industry (URE-GOS), covering replacement of gas boilers, gas unit heaters and gas radiant plaque heaters with ErP class A or higher.
2. Renewable-energy support in industry (OVE-GOS), heat pumps and solar collectors for hot-water preparation in industrial halls.
3. A loans for legal entities, soft loans with effective interest 1.5–2.5 % for investments above €100 000 (combinable with the subsidy as long as total aid does not exceed the de minimis ceilings).

Five application steps

The process is standardised and submitted entirely through the Eko sklad portal (vloge.ekosklad.si).

1. Energy audit of the facility, performed by an accredited energy auditor. Cost €800–2 500, the audit itself is an eligible cost (rolled into the subsidy if it leads to execution). The audit covers current consumption calculation, intervention proposal, predicted savings (kWh/year and CO₂).
2. Pre-eligibility check. A short pre-application with applicant category, investment type, expected investment size. Response in 5–10 working days with the confirmed envelope of eligible costs.
3. Full application with documentation. Equipment data sheet (with ErP class and ηₛ), contractor quote (with the model list), building permit or published process (if the swap requires it), proof of ownership, tax clearance.
4. Subsidy agreement. On a positive decision you receive the contract. The investment must be completed within 12 months of signing, otherwise the contract lapses.
5. Final report and payout. After completion: invoices (stating nominal power and ηₛ), photo documentation of installation, handover record, installer accreditation certificates. The subsidy is paid out 30–60 days after the report is received.

Common rejection reasons

• Selected equipment has ErP class B or lower (class A is the 2026 minimum).
• Data sheets missing for some installed modules.
• Installation completed before signing the contract (Eko sklad does not subsidise retroactively).
• No proof of installer accreditation (NPK for gas equipment is mandatory).
• Tax obligations not cleared.

Combining subsidy with a loan

Legal entities can combine the subsidy with a soft loan: an €80 000 investment, 30 % subsidy = €24 000, the remaining €56 000 financed through A loans. Effective capital cost: 1.8 % p.a. over 10 years, instead of the commercial-bank 4–5 %.

Properly combined, the investment pays back from heating savings in 4–6 years, instead of 8–10 with self-financing.

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