Croatian state-owned power utility HEP’s goal by 2030 is to have 700 MW of installed capacity in wind and solar, which would increase the share of RES in the company’s total energy mix by 50 %.
With a new 1,500 MW capacity from renewable energy sources by 2030 and more than 50 projects in development, HEP will be the true bearer of low-carbon energy transition in Croatia, said the President of HEP’s Management Board Frane Barbaric at the energy forum in Croatia.
He pointed out that the company is developing a large number of energy projects in renewables, natural gas, heating and electromobility, and so far about 130 million euros has been withdrawn from the EU funds for the development of these projects. HEP is in a development cycle with eight solar power plants worth almost 27 million euros, among which are the 7.5 MW Obrovac solar park, 40 MW Nova Vas solar park and the largest solar power plant Korlat which will have a capacity of 75 MW and investment of some 67 million euros. In addition to the existing wind farm, it will make the first renewable hybrid park in Croatia.
From next year, the Vis solar power plant will have battery energy storage, as the first such power plant in Croatia, and a similar plan is planned for the future Unije solar power plant. In addition, the company is developing Kosinj-Senj hydro project and is working on the revitalization of HPP Varazdin.
Barbaric said that the goal is also to increase energy efficiency in district heating, reducing losses in the distribution network, with the new cogeneration plant in Zagreb, with 80 MW power output and 70 MW thermal output, will be put into operation in the fall of next year. HEP is also planning a new cogeneration plant in Osijek. With annual investments of more than 400 million euros, HEP supports the Croatian economy and exports, as well as employment, in accordance with the goals of the Government and the National Program for Recovery and Resilience.
