Citizens Propel Croatia Toward Energy Sharing Revolution

Croatia is on the brink of an energy transformation as citizens vigorously push to kick-start energy sharing initiatives. Despite existing legislation, the journey to establish citizen energy communities faces significant hurdles. Croatian law, although aligned with the EU directive, imposes restrictive conditions that hinder the formation of these communities, such as a 500-kilowatt cap on community power plants and mandatory employment of experts, making grassroots projects particularly challenging.

In recent developments, volunteer firefighters in the village of Spickovina are leading the way with a planned solar power plant designed to operate as an EU-standard clean energy community. This pioneering project aims to break the ice and inspire similar initiatives across the country.

“Energy communities remain an unsolved problem in Croatia,” says local energy expert, Slavica Robic, from the Regional Energy Agency of Northwestern Croatia (REGEA). “Our current system favors large energy players and places numerous administrative and legislative barriers in the path of smaller, community-driven projects.”

Despite these challenges, Croatia boasts significant renewable energy potential. In 2023, around 60% of the country’s energy mix was from renewable sources, largely attributed to socialist-era hydroelectric plants and favorable weather conditions. However, Croatia still imports about a quarter of its electricity, including from coal-fired plants in neighboring Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

To support this grassroots momentum, the NRGCOM project, part of the Interreg Danube Transnational Programme, is making significant strides in promoting energy communities. NRGCOM aims to facilitate the creation of energy communities by providing resources, training, and support to local initiatives. This project underscores the transformative potential of energy communities in promoting sustainable energy practices, enhancing local economies, and fostering social unity.

Mr. Dalibor Jovanovic, Director of the Istrian Regional Energy Agency (IRENA), commented, “The NRGCOM project is crucial in breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for community-led energy initiatives in Croatia. By empowering local communities to generate and manage their own renewable energy, we are fostering a more democratic and sustainable energy future.”