Energy storage is one of the “hot” topics in Croatia in recent years, however, currently there are no active energy storage facilities on a bigger scale.
As of January 2023, there has been only one energy approval issued for the energy storage facility with capacity of 50 MW. This project, one of the largest in the region, has also been recognised by the European Commission, which has approved, under the State Aid rules, EUR 19.8 mln of aid for this project valued at EUR 70 mln. Once operational, this project is expected to play a significant role in providing balancing services to the Croatian transmission system operator, and hopefully also internationally through the Platform for the International Coordination of Automated Frequency Restoration and Stable System Operation (PICASSO).
It is noteworthy that the majority-state owned electricity provider Hrvatska elektroprivreda – dioničko društvo (HEP) manages a couple of small-scale energy storage facilities, approx. of 1 MW in capacity. These facilities are integrated into small-scale solar power plants and serve the purpose of providing balancing services for smaller regions where the plants are located, e.g., small islands.
Considering that the development of energy storage is a key part of the Energy Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia until 2030, not only due to its role in balancing the grid but as a security of energy supply, it is expected that the investments into and development of energy storage projects will intensify.
Source: seenext.org
