Croatia is preparing to enter the nuclear energy sector with plans to build at least three small modular reactors (SMRs), according to energy expert Ivica Jakic. The move aligns with wider European policies supporting low-carbon technologies and builds on momentum from recent international agreements, particularly between the United States and the United Kingdom, which have accelerated SMR development.
The European Union now classifies nuclear power as a low-carbon energy source, and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has identified SMRs as a key part of the future energy mix. Unlike conventional nuclear plants, SMRs are designed to be safer, easier to install, and capable of operating without external cooling systems. Some models use advanced technologies such as liquid sodium salts. Each unit can run on fuel for up to 20 years and operate for 50 to 60 years. With outputs of up to 500 MW, they can also utilize recycled nuclear fuel. Financially, their appeal lies in shorter construction timelines—typically three to four years—allowing them to be connected to the grid within about five years.
Because SMRs are factory-built and assembled on-site like modular blocks, they require limited supporting infrastructure. Nuclear waste is stored on-site for the full operational life of the reactor, simplifying logistics. While the Croatian Government has not yet confirmed the exact size or technical details, Jakic stated that at least three units are planned, each made up of several smaller modules. This decentralized approach would reduce the need for long-distance electricity transmission and improve energy security.
The strategy comes as the European Commission and the OECD push for the gradual removal of general energy subsidies. While broad subsidies are being phased out, targeted assistance remains in place through vouchers for vulnerable households, and protections continue for small and medium-sized enterprises.
