Many photovoltaic (PV) owners have been waiting for this

A new system will allow for the creation of energy sharing groups, with a minimum of one energy supplier (e.g., a household with a PV system) and consumers who can be located practically anywhere in Slovakia.

Representatives from ZSE Energia (ZSE) and Východoslovenská energetika (VSE), along with officials from OKTE and EY, have unveiled a significant innovation in the Slovak energy market: the Electricity Sharing Management product. This new offering will enable the sharing of surplus energy within a "community" across the entire country.

The Rise of Photovoltaics and Efficient Energy Use

Over the past five years, approximately 40,000 – 50,000 photovoltaic installations have been added in Slovakia. Households and smaller businesses are increasingly becoming both producers and consumers of electricity, learning to manage their generated power efficiently. If they can't consume all the electricity they produce in real-time, they can now share it simultaneously. Any remaining surpluses can be stored and eventually sold.

How Energy Sharing Groups Work

To utilize this new system, users need to establish a sharing group consisting of at least one producer and other consumption points, whether they are households or businesses. A producer, such as a household with a PV system, can instantly send their surplus energy to parents or friends. This ensures that every kilowatt-hour generated is used where it makes the most sense in real-time. The technical aspects of electricity sharing are managed by OKTE through the Energy Data Center (EDC).

Seamless Experience for Customers

VSE and ZSE aim to make electricity sharing simple and worry-free for their customers. The providers will handle the administrative complexities, offer consultations, and provide clear reports that will allow customers to effectively manage their surpluses. "As the first on the market, we will provide systematic support to customers. We will carry out all necessary steps for establishing a sharing group on their behalf, ensure the selection of a sharing method according to their requirements, and prepare a clear report on shared electricity," explained Juraj Bayer.

Service Availability and Changes to Virtual Battery

The service will be available to ZSE and VSE customers in the second half of June 2025. With its introduction, the popular Virtual Battery service will also undergo changes. It will begin to use banded tariffication, which will adjust the price for surplus electricity based on market prices in specific time bands. If not all electricity from the delivery point is shared with consumption points within the sharing group, the remaining electricity can still be stored in the Virtual Battery.

Pricing for Shared Electricity

Here's a breakdown of the pricing for the Shared Electricity 1 service:

• 2 members in a group: €10 (including VAT) for the first month, then €3 for subsequent months.
• 3 or 4 members in a group: €15 for the first month, then €4 for subsequent months.
• 5 or more members in a group: €20 for the first month, then €5 for subsequent months.

VSE and ZSE Energia to Merge, Forming Energetika Slovensko

The merger of sister companies Východoslovenská energetika and ZSE Energia has been approved by the relevant bodies of each company, including the shareholders of the ZSE group. The merger will take effect upon registration in the Commercial Register of the Slovak Republic, with an expected registration date of July 1, 2025. The successor company, VSE, will operate under the new business name Energetika Slovensko, a.s., with its registered office at Čulenova 6, Bratislava.

This merger will have no impact on ZSE Energia and VSE customers or business partners. Customers will not need to sign new contracts, and no new electricity or gas meter readings will be required. Energetika Slovensko will not change payment methods or bank accounts that customers are accustomed to. Customer centers in both Eastern and Western Slovakia will remain available.