Legislation of renewable energy sources in Slovakia

Growing renewable energy plants on agricultural land and its further energy usage presents a significant importance for implementing long-term strategy of Slovakia in the area of acquisition and use of renewable energy sources (RES). Renewable energy plants together fulfil the objectives of Europe 2020 strategy and contributes to diversification of energy resources. The paper draws on the EU and national legislation regulating RES. Directive 2009/28/EC of the European parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources and amending and subsequently repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC are analysed. Broadly, the topic of the renewable energy resources is integrated in Rural Development Program 2014 - 2020. More specifically, Biomass Action Plan 2008- 2013, Strategy of higher use of the renewable energy resources in Slovakia and Strategy of energy security of Slovakia till 2030 have been adopted. Sustainable use of agricultural land, its management and use, as well as the protection of its quality and functions are regulated by Act No. 220/2004 Coll. on the protection and use of agricultural land and amending the Act no. 245/2003 Coll. on integrated prevention and control of environmental pollution and amending certain acts as amended which came into the force 1. May 2004. Act. No. 57/2013 Coll. with is in effect from 1 April 2013, establishes the principles and procedure for the establishment of plantations of fast-growing trees on agricultural land. Slovak legislation introduced a register for fast-growing trees in Slovak territories at each district office, Land and Forest Department in Slovakia (72). The survey at registers shows that this legislation promoted the farmers to start to use marginal land for fast-growing trees.