D. Saková at the TTE Council of Ministers: Nuclear energy must be on an equal footing with renewable energy sources; we also need energy storage facilities and robust grids
The future of the European energy sector, new climate targets for 2040, investments in transmission grids, the development of energy storage facilities, and further coordination among the V4 countries were among the main topics of today’s meeting of the Council of Energy Ministers (TTE) in Luxembourg. At the same time, the European Commission is preparing a new climate and energy framework for 2040, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%. The Slovak Republic supports climate protection and decarbonisation, while consistently emphasising the need for technology neutrality. During the negotiations, Denisa Saková reiterated that nuclear energy must be treated on an equal footing with renewable energy sources in European legislation, financing, and investment mechanisms.
“We support climate goals, but we reject the European Union dictating to Member States which technologies they should use to reduce emissions. Each country must have the right to decide for itself how to achieve low emissions while ensuring affordable energy. We demand that nuclear energy be treated on an equal footing with renewable energy sources. At the same time, if we want a functional European energy market, investments in infrastructure must be shared fairly among Member States. The costs of cross-border interconnections cannot be borne solely by the countries that invest in them,” said Denisa Saková, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic.
Slovakia considers nuclear energy a stable and reliable pillar of energy security and an important tool for achieving climate goals. Investments in the modernization of transmission systems and the construction of cross-border energy interconnections were also key topics of discussion. Slovakia is making significant investments in this area with the aim of strengthening grid stability and enhancing the security of energy supply.
Today’s agenda also included the signing of a tripartite agreement on the development of energy storage facilities, initiated by the European Commission together with Member States, industry, financial institutions, and technology partners. The agreement sets out a concrete European plan to accelerate the development of energy storage capacity between 2026 and 2028, with the aim of strengthening energy security, improving the integration of renewable energy sources, reducing gas consumption, and stabilising energy prices for households and businesses.
The European Union estimates that it will need approximately 200 GW of storage capacity by 2030, with around 55 GW already in operation as of early 2026. The agreement itself calls for the installation of an additional 45 GW of new capacity by 2028, representing an acceleration in the deployment rate of at least 20% compared to 2025. The agreement also includes the goal of doubling the share of storage in meeting peak energy demand—from approximately 5% in 2025 to 10% by 2028. The use of battery systems in industry, the development of thermal storage facilities, and the conclusion of long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) to stabilise electricity prices are also expected to increase significantly.
“Energy storage will be an essential component of the modern energy sector. If we want to ensure secure supplies, stable prices, and the efficient use of energy from renewable sources, we must significantly strengthen our ability to store and flexibly manage energy,” added Denisa Saková.
During bilateral talks with Céline Gauer, Director-General of DG ENER, Minister D. Saková also raised the issue of the upcoming ETS Investment Booster—a new European instrument designed to support energy-intensive industries. This mechanism must be designed in a fair way so that it also takes into account the situation of countries with lower fiscal capacity and companies that have already invested in decarbonisation in the past.
During the V4 coordination meeting, Slovakia also presented the priorities of its presidency of the Visegrad Group in the field of energy, which it will assume in July 2026. The main objective will be to renew and strengthen regional cooperation on energy security, energy price stability, infrastructure development, and joint support for nuclear energy.
“Central Europe shares common interests in the energy sector. If we want a stronger voice in Europe, we must speak with one voice,” concluded Denisa Saková.
At today’s talks, Slovakia thus reaffirmed its position as a country that supports a realistic, secure, and technologically open transformation of the European energy sector.
The Press Department of MoE SR