Croatia continues to lag behind in solar energy adoption despite its significant natural potential for renewable resources, particularly solar power. According to the Renewable Energy Association of Croatia (OIEH), the country remains at the bottom of the European rankings in terms of solar energy share. With 30% higher solar insolation than neighboring countries, Croatia’s installed solar capacity is still dramatically lower—half of Slovenia’s, ten times less than Hungary’s, and a staggering 130 times less than Germany’s.
In response to these challenges, OIEH has entered into a strategic partnership with SolarPower Europe, the leading European solar energy organization. This partnership is expected to bring renewed momentum to Croatia’s solar industry and address key barriers that have hindered progress.
OIEH Director Maja Pokrovac emphasized the urgent need for Croatia to adopt a balanced domestic energy mix that includes all renewable resources, echoing practices seen across Europe. Despite having a high solar potential, Croatia continues to rely heavily on energy imports. The country is set to join the ranks of nations with 1 GW of installed solar capacity early next year, but much work remains. OIEH estimates that stalled projects, totaling 2 GW of solar capacity, are being held back by high network connection costs—a significant obstacle that must be overcome.
In addition, the modernization of Croatia’s energy grid to better accommodate renewable sources is crucial. OIEH advocates for more ambitious plans that integrate modern energy storage solutions, which are essential for stabilizing the grid and lowering energy costs for citizens, small businesses, and energy-intensive industries.
Through its partnership with SolarPower Europe, OIEH aims to tackle these challenges by implementing best practices from the EU, working toward achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and ensuring a clean, sustainable energy future for Croatia.
