Mr. Koprivnikar: Our long-term success is built on three core pillars: a resilient trading portfolio, continuous innovation, and empowering talent.
“As a key market player in Southeast Europe, we are now strategically expanding westward, gradually entering new markets—most recently the Netherlands and Belgium—with the UK next in line and the U.S. as our upcoming step.”
Mr. Koprivnikar: We began as a power trading and sales company, and electricity remains our core commodity. Over time, we have diversified our trading activities across all timeframes, from long-term contracts to short-term and algorithm-driven intraday trading. We also integrate natural gas and expand our portfolio with environmental products and PPAs to support the energy transition and sustainability goals. While we are a key market player in Southeast Europe, our strategical expansion is now focused towards West, where we are gradually entering new markets, most recently the Netherlands and Belgium, with the UK next in line, while we are also preparing for our next step – the U.S.
Mr. Koprivnikar: Innovation is at the heart of our strategy. We take highly rigorous approach to trading with increasingly sophisticated strategies. Cutting-edge technology enables us to leverage our market expertise and advanced fundamental and scenario analytics. This, together with advanced technologies, such as machine learning, enabling processing of large volumes of data, provides continuous real-time information enabling informed decision-making.
Mr. Koprivnikar:
Our people are our greatest asset. We invest in continuous learning, foster a collaborative culture, and support professional development through mentorship programs. This commitment has earned us recognition as one of Slovenia’s top employers. By the end of 2025, we plan to expand our trading floor, currently comprising over 110 traders and analysts, by hiring an additional up to 30 professionals.
Mr. Koprivnikar: Our vision is to solidify our leadership in established markets and break into new ones across Europe—and eventually worldwide. We’re focusing on sustainability by expanding our renewable energy portfolio, enhancing our PPA services, and exploring battery storage solutions. All of this is powered by cutting-edge technology, robust analytics, and a constant investment in our talent.
“Global commodity markets are at a crossroads, driven by geopolitical tensions, volatile gas prices, and surging Asian energy demand. We stay ahead with smart hedging, sharp analytics, and strategic market positioning.“
Mr. Koprivnikar: Global commodity markets are at a crossroads, driven by geopolitical tensions, volatile gas prices, and surging Asian energy demand. We stay ahead with smart hedging, sharp analytics, and strategic market positioning. And we counter these challenges through advanced hedging strategies and deep market analytics that blend both macro and local insights.
Mr. Koprivnikar: We maintain a highly selective approach to market exposure, focusing on a strong risk-reward ratio. By leveraging real-time data and sophisticated risk management tools, we transform market uncertainty into competitive opportunities.
Mr. Koprivnikar: Our edge lies in our deep market expertise, innovative trading models, selective approach to risk management, and tailored solutions that align with our partners’ unique capacities and requirements. This combination, along with the trust our partners place in us—as evidenced by top rankings in yearly survey Energy Risk Commodity Rankings —keeps us ahead in the competitive landscape.
Mr. Koprivnikar: Our focus on technology, including cutting-edge ETRM systems and algorithmic trading, empowers our data-driven decisions, improving trading precision and market agility. This helps us stay responsive and minimize risks.
Mr. Koprivnikar: Sustainability is foundational for us. We provide carbon-free electricity, promote renewable energy, and invest in green technologies, from solar plants to battery storage. Our goal aligns with a net-zero Europe by 2050, and we’re already reducing millions of tons of CO2 emissions yearly.
Mr. Koprivnikar: We’re driving the green transition through solar installations, developing renewable energy communities, and enhancing energy efficiency in our operations. Our commitment includes direct investments in sustainable projects like solar plants in North Macedonia, supported by our Green Investment Committee. Driving a greener future, we expand our RES portfolio, deliver all-in-one PPA solutions, and unlock new opportunities with BESS and flexibility services. In the last two years, we installed about 100 MW of new solar capacity for our households and businesses and expanded PPAs to support renewable integration. By 2025, we aim to manage nearly 1,000 MW of RES capacity.
Mr. Koprivnikar: We promote ongoing development through modern HR practices, mentorship programs, and international training opportunities. This creates an environment where innovation flourishes, keeping us agile in the face of the dynamic challenges in energy markets. By investing in professional education, internal mentoring, and innovative recruitment initiatives like our “Trading Challenge,” we identify top talent and ensure our team is always equipped to meet evolving market demands.
Mr. Koprivnikar: The energy transition in the Western Balkans is challenging, yet signs of progress are emerging. The region’s heavy dependence on coal, with countries like North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo having some of Europe’s most carbon-intensive sectors, makes the shift difficult. It requires dismantling old infrastructure and managing the social impact on coal-dependent communities. Aging energy systems also need major upgrades to support a green future. Despite these hurdles, GEN-I, with its deep roots in the region, is committed to leading this change. Through PPA services, environmental products, and BESS trading solutions, we offer vital support to the transition, adding value across the region.
“In CSEE and WB-6, CBAM’s rigid framework risks disrupting prices, trade flows, and renewable growth—undermining its environmental goals. GEN-I is engaging key stakeholders to ensure a fair, effective carbon transition. Collaboration among TSOs, traders, exchanges, and regulators is Key to transforming challenges into opportunities for a carbon-free future”
Mr. Koprivnikar: In CSEE and the WB-6, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism`s (CBAM) current structure could disrupt price levels, flow patterns, and hinder renewable energy growth, contradicting its environmental goals. It’s rigid framework clashes with the complexities of electricity trading, risking market disruption and stalling renewables in Southeast Europe. GEN-I is taking action—engaging regulators, industry leaders, and policymakers to push for solutions that align with CBAM’s true goal: a fair and effective carbon transition. Unity is key. TSOs, traders, exchanges, and regulators must collaborate closely—streamlining rules and embracing new strategies. Together, we can turn regulatory hurdles into a launchpad for a carbon-free era.
GEN-I Group, established in 2004, consists of the Slovenian parent company GEN-I, d.o.o. and its subsidiaries, and is one of the fastest growing and most innovative participants in the European energy markets. The main pillars of GEN-I’s activities encompass trading and supply of energy on both wholesale and retail markets. By focusing on its customers’ needs, and transparent and affordable offerings, GEN-I has grown into the largest and first carbon free supplier of electricity in Slovenia. In terms of GEN-I’s role in wholesale markets, it is the leading electricity trader in Southeastern Europe. Through diversified trading infrastructure, GEN-I successfully exploits the synergies from the geographical expansion to new strategic markets as well as the connection between more liquid Western and less liquid Southeastern European markets, while also complementing its offerings by the provision of services related to the green transformation – with a strong focus on PPAs and RES management services including ancillary and BESS.
Member of the Management Board at GEN-I
Igor Koprivnikar, Ph.D., MBA, is a C-level executive with extensive managerial expertise in energy trading, market operations, business development, and finance. He earned his Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics from the Technical University of Graz in 2002 and played a key role in developing the Austrian energy exchange EXAA. Since GEN-I’s founding in 2004, he has been instrumental in shaping its business model for cross-border electricity trading. He served as Member of the Management Board from 2005 to 2021, and in 2018, he obtained an MBA from the prestigious Chicago Booth School of Business. From February 2022 to February 2023, he held the position of President of the Management Board, while also serving as a director of the GEN-I Group’s subsidiaries abroad. As of March 2024, he holds the position of Member of the Management Board.
