July 9, 2021 - The REPLACE Project was presented at the JOINT SECAP workshop in Rijeka on June 23. There is no better way to end a year and a half-long Interreg project for Croatia, which was one more ecosystem-concerned cooperation between Italy and Croatia.

When it comes to energy efficiency in Croatia, there is no doubt anybody cares about it more than the scientific community working and associating with Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar (EIHP).

Not only is the EIHP building on its way to becoming the first nearly zero energy building in the whole of the country, but EIHP's expertise also plays a big role in REPLACE Project from Horizon Europe. As TCN previously covered, the project aims to make Primorje Gorski Kotar County energy-renewable territory, and the ongoing meetings about the project (in collaboration with the University of Rijeka) see slow but steady progress in those respects.

As EIHP reports on its website, June 23 saw REPLACE Project presented in the congress hall of Rijeka's Jadran Hotel as part of the final workshop of the JOINT SECAP project.

„On behalf of EIHP, Antonia Tomas Stanković presented REPLACE in the second half of the event. The goal is to support European energetic, climate, environmental, economic, and social goals by 2030 and 2050 by encouraging the gradual replacement of inefficient and outdated cooling and heating systems with new, energy-efficient systems based on renewable energy sources“, informed EIHP.

JOINT SECAP, part of Interreg Italy-Croatia strategic program (much like the CASCADE Project TCN previously wrote about) aims to improve the climate change monitoring and planning of adaptation measures tackling specific effects in the cooperation area.

„The project idea reflects the necessity to operate at a wider district level and better define strategies and actions for climate change adaptation, especially for those weather and climate changes and hydrogeological risks affecting coastal areas. The first phase is developed to build the common methodology for Joint Actions definition and implementation and to share the basic knowledge about issues concerning climate change adaptation strategies and energy efficiency measures. The second phase starts upon the analysis uploaded in the web platform, acting as a useful tool for the development of scenarios for the Joint Actions to be implemented in the Joint SECAP plans, those last constituting the main project deliverable“, explained JOINT SECAP on its website. The workshop in Rijeka was the conclusion of the project as JOINT SECAP ended on June 30 after it began on January 1, 2012, with a budget of € 2,094,857.

The workshop in Rijeka, writes the EIHP website, was organized by Primorje Gorski Kotar County Office for Regional Development Infrastructure and Project Management and by Kvarner Regional Energetic Agency. Representatives of local authorities of Primorsko-Goranska county that were enrolled in creating an Energetic and Climate Sustainable Development Action Plan. These local authorities include towns such as Opatija and Kastav and the districts of Čavle, Matulji, and Viškovo.

„Joint SECAP analyzed energy spending for the included towns and districts, their risks and vulnerability regarding climate change, yearly emissions of CO2 in sectors of building construction industry, public lighting, and traffic. Concrete measures with the goal of adjusting to the effects of climate change and CO2 emissions down to at least 55% by 2030 were suggested“, stated EIHP.

With measures identified, the race with time begins as these measures should be in place as fast as possible to tackle one of the biggest challenges humanity is facing, and Croatia isn't able to be isolated from the threat.

Learn more about Rijeka on our TC page.

For more about science in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

September 20, 2020 - The Vis Solar Power Plant is not only the first on a Croatian island, but it is currently the largest solar power plant in Croatia. 

Slobodna Dalmacija reports that back in 2010, the idea of ​​building a solar power plant on the southern hills of Vis seemed like an impossible mission. Ten years later, it has become a reality that has brought sustainable energy to Vis, the most remote central Dalmatian island.

The new surplus power plant of 3.5 MW, with an annual planned production of about five million kWh of electricity, is the largest solar power plant in Croatia - and it is first on a Croatian island. For every inhabitant of the island, especially those tied to the mainland for services, this investment is more than a relief.

Apart from Vis, the inhabitants of Hvar, but also Zagora, from the peripheral ring of the three 'V's' of Split-Dalmatia County, will also be as lucky. This group also includes Vrlika and the Vrgorac area, which led the announced energy investments with specific energy plans. With them are the planned projects in Sestanovac, Lecevica, and those from the area of Zadvarje, Kastela, Imotski, and in the future, other central Dalmatian islands, too.

As a reminder, since the end of last week, Vis has been receiving electricity for 1,600 households from a modern power plant, which will show its importance, especially during periods of the tourist season, when there are standard periods of higher consumption. With its electricity and drinking water sources, this island becomes energetically self-sustainable. Paraphrased, it is a small step for humanity, but extremely big for both the people of Vis and Croatia.

"The solar power plant on Vis, an investment worth one million kuna, built on a land area of ​​5.5 hectares, is the first of seven HEP ​​solar power plants put into operation in the planned period from 2019 to 2023. This is a cycle worth 750 million kuna. With this power plant, Vis has gained greater security of electricity supply," stated Frane Barbaric, President of the Management Board of Hrvatska elektroprivreda.

Vis experienced a historic moment with the investment in Krizeva glavica, not far from the settlement Zena Glava. He laid the concrete foundations of what will happen in Croatia in the next 10 years. Namely, in 2017, the Government of the Republic of Croatia strongly embarked on the implementation of the new energy policy of Croatia and the European Union, focused on green energy investments.

But the basic question is, why Vis? 

According to one of the projections made and presented by the Hrvoje Pozar Energy Institute less than four years ago, Dalmatia, the coast, and the islands have the greatest solar potential. Among them, the Southern Dalmatian islands stand out. Nevertheless, statistics show that compared to other EU countries, Croatia still does not make sufficient use of this natural potential. But it is encouraging that the EU solar market has grown by 36 percent over the past year. The projections made by the United Nations Development Program show a plan to increase the use of solar energy in Croatia until 2030, said Dr. Luksa Lulic, member of the Supervisory Board of HEP.

Announcements about the planned construction of new solar and wind power plants are quite optimistic, and it is interesting that Split-Dalmatia County will play an extremely important role in this direction. Moreover, precisely because of the abundance of sunshine and beautiful locations, this county is a natural Croatian reservoir for the construction of new renewable energy sources. This is confirmed by the prefect of Split-Dalmatia, Blazenko Boban, who stated that this area will become the flagship of what the EU expects from us.

"Solar power plants are extremely desirable in our area because in the frequent consumption of electricity, so when it is necessary to import energy, we have our own potential. This is especially pronounced at a time of higher influx of tourists in the season, which gives us self-sustainability. Thanks to the Sun Power Plant on Vis and other solar power plant projects under construction, such as SE Vrlika and projects in development such as the Bogomolje power plant on Hvar and others, Split-Dalmatia County will remain a leader in renewable sources in the country. Vis is the leader of this process, it is this most remote island of our county that now has energy self-sufficiency," says Boban.

The projection of the energy future of Split-Dalmatia County is based on the existing spatial plan, in which we are implanting 28 wind farm fields. Nine of them have already been built. There are also 25 solar fields led by Vis. At the other end of our county, says prefect Boban, a power plant of 6.8 megawatts, worth 45 million kuna, is planned in Vrlika, and there is also the Vrgorac area as the third peak of the 'V' triangle.

"These three 'V' plants are located on the outskirts of our county, and within it, construction is still planned at several other positions. We know that it will be on the Sestanovac plateau, for which projects have not been worked out in detail yet. That is why it is still difficult to talk about strength. There is also Bogomolje on Hvar, and Lecevica is also planned. SE Vrlika is moving quickly with the realization, the project is finished, the start of construction is planned by the New Year. We will soon know all the characteristics of the plant from the planned sunny fields of Hvar and from the Vrgorac area. Among the seven planned HEP power plants from the announced five-year cycle, the Hvar SE Bogomolje also found a place. In the medium term, among our acquisitions, among the larger SEs are those from the Vrgorac plateau, Sestanovac, Lecevica, and those from the area of ​​Zadvarje, Kastela and Imotski," says Boban.

His words are supported by the announcements from HEP, from which the leaders openly sent an invitation for cooperation with other islands in the Dalmatian area during their stay on Vis. From the slope of the Vis hill covered with 11,200 photovoltaic modules, they invited Dalmatian leaders to a new open public call, to plan preparations and cooperation in the construction of new solar power plants.

HEP leaders set out in this direction, announcing talks with the leadership of four Hvar municipalities the day after the release of SE Vis. The power plant in Bogomolje, which is about to obtain a location permit, could be joined in the future by 'sister' acquisitions, for example in Jelsa, and at two other locations. Along the way, a lot more will need to be defined on this issue.

HEP's five-year investment cycle for the construction of solar power plants, worth HRK 750 million, combines the construction of the solar power plant Marici near Zminj, Istrian Kastelir 2, and SE Cres as the largest solar power plant under construction in Croatia with 6.5 MW and an investment of HRK 41 million. There is also SE Obrovac, SE Vrlika jug, and SE Stankovci. By the end of 2020, WPP Korlat, the first wind farm in HEP's production portfolio, will also be put into commercial operation.

As far as Vis is concerned, HEP annually invests an average of one million kuna in the improvement of the island's electricity infrastructure. In the next three years, this amount will be almost 30 million kuna through a number of projects. Among them, laying submarine cables at Hvar-Pakleni-Vis and Vis-Bisevo stands out, as well as laying 20-kilovolt cable lines in Ravno Stupisce and Smokova. Also, work has begun on the installation of the first ELEN charging station for electric cars on the island, in the town of Vis, followed by the installation of a charging station in Komiza, said HEP, which will build a new 1500 MW of production capacity by 2030.

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ZAGREB, April 8, 2019 - Croatia's HEP national electricity provider on Monday presented a new investment cycle in solar power plants valued at 750 million kuna with the first investments to be made in the Kaštelir, Cres, Vis and Vrlika Jug plants with a total power of 11.6 megawatts (MW) and a value of 80 million kuna.

HEP management board chair Frane Barbarić said that under the big investment scheme the company would invest 750 million kuna by 2023 or 150 million kuna a year for that purpose.

Of the four above-mentioned facilities, the Sabadin plant, which will now be renamed to Kaštelir has been already purchased from the former owner.

Barbaić said that it is expected that by 2030 the power plants will produce 350 MW, which is seven times more than the power currently produced by all the solar power plants in Croatia.

He added that HEP has launched a strong investment cycle in renewable energy sources and that in addition to solar plants, investments will be made in hydro-electricity power plants, wind farms and other renewables. Thus, HEP plans to start building its first wind farm this year.

Barbarić mentioned that HEP's plan to construct solar power plants on the tops of its buildings with a power of 2.1 MW, a project estimated to cost 13 million kuna.

Environment and Energy Minister Tomislav Ćorić said that the main focus of Croatia's Energy Strategy by 2030 is renewable energy sources.

We have huge energy potential from the sun and wind, Ćorić said and added that this year the ministry will subsidise "solar plants" on household roofs. This is a good investment and proof that Croatia is concerned with environment protection, he added.

More energy news can be found in the Business section.

As Jasmina Trstenjak/Novac writes on the 2nd of April, 2019, the Republic of Croatia must, and is, turning more and more strongly towards using its own renewable energy sources, this was the main message of the Minister of Environmental Protection and Energy of Tomislav Ćorić at the Wind Europe 2019 Conference & Exhibition, held April from the 2nd to the 4th of this month in Bilbao, Spain.

It's been three and a half years since the historic COP 21 in Paris, which was one of the most important first steps towards a global low-carbon transition. The goal is to limit global warming below 2 degrees celsius, up to a maximum of 1.5 degrees celsius.

"Although we've done a lot since then, there are still many challenges ahead of us," Ćorić stated at the beginning of his speech on the subject, held at the largest and the most significant European event in the area of ​​wind energy use, in which the Republic of Croatia participated for the very first time.

The conference is focused on clean energy for Europe and brings together key European institutions and the European economy in the wind industry, 8000 participants, 300 exhibitors from various countries and as many as 155 speakers, including Croatia's Tomislav Ćorić, who presented those present with Croatian experiences and further plans.

He recalled the fact that Croatia realised that, for security reasons, it has to turn much more towards its own sources of energy, primarily relying on hydropower, the sun and the wind.

''We will intensively support the development of geothermal, biomass and biogas projects, addressing the needs of the industry, agriculture, and all those sectors that need the synergistic effect of electricity and heat production in a highly efficient manner,'' he continued by briefly outlining Croatia's energy plans, adding that a very important segment of energy transition is the increased share of electricity in transport, such as in heating and cooling systems.

Additional space can be seen in Croatian tourism, which accounts for almost 20 percent of the country's GDP, and has a disadvantageous relationship between the supply and demand of electricity in summer tourist months, so we can see the need for, and the opportunity to introduce a micro solar system. Tourism will profit even more, Tomislav Ćorić believes, with the electrification of transport, he therefore believes that it would be good to open the story of corporate contracts on the purchase of electricity in tourism.

Adding to the issue of tourism, he pointed out that Croatia is known for its more than 1,000 islands and that the island's dependence on energy imports could be reduced by the greater use of renewable sources and innovative energy systems, which could also lead to welcome cost reductions. Accordingly, the European Commission has started its initiative on the energy transition of European islands with a view to seeing them eventually become sustainable, and Croatia is aiming to continue this work during the Croatian Presidency of the Council of Europe, so as to continue to ensure the development of the energy transition strategy on Croatia's many islands.

''Among the 26 European islands are the Cres-Lošinj archipelago and Korčula, Brač and Hvar. In the first phase, Cres will make its energy transition plan this summer, and next year, Hvar, Brač and Korčula will do the same,'' the minister stated.

He also took the opportunity to announce Croatia's new energy strategy which is being brought in as early as this year, in which one of the key goals will be to increase the production of both wind and sun-sourced electricity.

''In line with this, we expect more renewable energy sources than in the past ten years. The goal is to have three times more wind and twenty times more solar energy in the next ten years. With the wind and other choices of renewable energy, we will achieve 32 percent of our total energy needs by 2030 and at least 56 percent by 2050, and the transition to renewable energy will reduce harmful emissions. We believe that further growth in green energy investment will also affect the country's development itself, as well as [provide] new employment and industry growth,'' concluded Minister Tomislav Ćorić at the Bilbao conference.

Maja Pokrovac, the director of the Croatia Renewable Energy Association, added that with the aim of achieving 32 percent of renewable sources, Croatia will contribute 36.4 percent according to the National Climate Action Plan and Action Plan sent to Brussels in late 2018, while the director of WindEurope, Giles Dickson, expressed his pleasant surprise with the fact that Croatia is the most optimistic country in JI Europe when it comes to the share of renewables in consumption.

Make sure to follow our dedicated politics and lifestyle pages for much more. If it's the environment and ecology in Croatia you're interested in, give Total Eco Croatia a follow.

Click here for the original article by Jasmina Trstenjak for Novac/Jutarnji

 ZAGREB, December 6, 2018 - The national power provider HEP is implementing a large-scale investment cycle that includes 3.6 billion kuna worth of investment in revitalising hydropower plants in Croatia, which will contribute to GDP growth, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said in Ozalj on Thursday at a ceremony marking the launch of power generator B at the Ozalj 1 hydropower plant on the Kupa river.

The new power generator was added to the plant which is marking the 110th anniversary of its existence.

HEP has so far invested 1.4 billion kuna and will invest an additional 2.2 billion kuna over the next 10 years, the prime minister said at the ceremony in Ozalj, 50 kilometres south of Zagreb.

Plenković said that the upgrade work on this power plant was worth 60 million kuna and would prolong the plant's working life.

"Croatia wants to strengthen its hydropower capacity and continue this trend in the coming years, which is also excellent on the European level. We have already met the EU target for 2030 regarding energy from renewable sources," the prime minister said.

In 2014, EU member states agreed on a new renewable energy target of at least 27% of the EU’s final energy consumption by 2030, as part of the EU's energy and climate goals for 2030.

Speaking of HEP's investment cycle and its contribution to national economic growth, Plenković said that when it came to "the strategic triangle: fiscal consolidation, structural reforms and investment, emphasis should be put on investment as the driver of growth and development and eventually employment."

HEP management board chairman Frano Barbarić said that the company would further develop itself in the production of electricity from renewables.

He recalled the company's project of the construction of a solar power station on the northern Adriatic island of Cres, the first in a series of planned power plants to run on solar power and other renewables.

At a contract-signing ceremony on Cres in late June, Brbarić said then that by 2050 HEP would produce 70% of electricity from renewable resources.

The power plant will be built on an area of 17 hectares and will have a capacity of 6.5 megawatts. That is 6.5 times more than the largest existing plant of this type in the country. It will produce an average of 8.5 million kilowatt hours a year, which is approximately the consumption of 2,000 households.

For more on renewable sources of energy in Croatia, click here.

Transmission and distribution are less visible, but remain vital parts of the energy system in each country.

All the sunny hours through the year can help hotels save on energy bills.

ZelEn is derived from the words “Zelena Energija”, or green energy.

In the European Union, the share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption in 2015 will further increase to the planned 20 percent in 2020, while 11 countries, including Croatia, have already achieved their target objectives at the national level, according to the latest report from Eurostat.