February 14, 2023 - Geothermal potential assessment is underway in the Vinkovci area in order to determine the actual state of the thermal water reservoirs for their use for heating.

"The town of Vinkovci has a heating system to which about 1,700 households are connected, and - if this research proves to be fruitful - we could turn to renewable energy sources. However, it is not only a question of heating but also industry, especially agriculture, which could benefit when it comes to greenhouse production," said the deputy mayor of Vinkovci, Josip Romić, on his Monday visit to the locality where the geothermal potential is being assessed, writes 24Sata.

According to the mayor, the benefits of using geothermal energy sources are multiple, from sustainable circular management of renewable energy sources to energy independence, all for the sake of long-term economic profitability.

"It is estimated that citizens' heating bills would be 50 percent lower by switching to heating from geothermal sources," said Romić.

Through the National Recovery and Sustainability Plan, the geothermal potential assessment project for use in heating is being implemented in six locations in Croatia.

In the area of Zaprešić, Velika Gorica, Sisak, and Osijek, the assessment has been completed; in Vinkovci, it is in progress, and the next one will take place in the area of Vukovar, said the director of the Geothermal Energy Sector of the Agency for Hydrocarbons, Martina Tuschl.

She explained how seismic recording is performed by observing the movement of the seismic wave from its source on the surface to the geological elements in the underground, from which it is reflected, and its return to the receiver, the geophone. By returning the wave to the surface, where the wireless geophones are located, a clear picture of what is under the ground is obtained.

The assessment is carried out by the Polish company Geofizika Torun.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated News section.

ZAGREB, 31 March 2022 - Economy Ministry State Secretary Nataša Mikuš Žigman said on Thursday that work was underway to draft a plan for the development of Croatia's geothermal potential.

Speaking at a government session, Mikuš Žigman said that in line with the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, the Hydrocarbon Agency would be entrusted with implementing six geothermal energy projects, for which HRK 225 million (€30 million) is envisaged.

A total of €25 million is planned to be used from the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Cohesion for the use of geothermal energy for heating.

Mikuš Žigman said that the government supported all activities to increase the life span of the joint Croatian-Slovenian nuclear power plant Krško until 2040 and that it also supported the use of nuclear energy to help decarbonise the economy.

Excise taxes on natural gas and electricity are at the minimum level prescribed by the Council directive on the taxation of energy products and electricity and the Excise Tax Act prescribes exemptions for energy products and electricity for the industrial sector, she said.

Also, the excise tax on blue-dyed diesel for the agricultural sector has been set at zero, and the government has adopted a regulation lowering excise taxes on unleaded motor gasoline and diesel.

Politics: For more, check out our politics section.