Dispatch from Croatia | January ‘25
***Our weekly Dispatches provide an overview of the most relevant recent and upcoming developments for the shift to climate neutrality in selected European countries, from policy and diplomacy to society and industry. For a bird's-eye view of the country's climate-friendly transition, read the respective 'Guide to'.***
Stories to watch in the weeks ahead
Stories to watch in the weeks ahead
- Presidential election: The second round of Croatia's presidential election will be held on 12 January. Current President Zoran Milanović fell just short of victory in the first round held on 29 December, missing the vote share needed for a straight victory by less than one percentage point. Milanović, the candidate of the opposition Social Democrats (SDP), secured 49.1 percent of the vote. His main challenger, Dragan Primorac, representing the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), won 19.4 percent. In Croatia, the president has limited powers — unable to veto laws but holding influence over foreign policy, defence, and security matters. Milanović is known for his harsh criticism of the government. During his five-year term, which expires on 18 February, former prime minister Milanović frequently clashed with centre-right prime minister Andrej Plenković over foreign and public policy. He has also strongly criticised the European Union and NATO for their support of Ukraine.
- NECP Submission - Croatia will submit its updated National Energy and Climate Plan to the European Commission following months of delays. A public consultation on the NECP was held from 12 November to 12 December, coming under heavy fire from environmentalists (see below). In the updated plan, Croatia has increased the share of renewable energy sources in energy consumption from 36.4% to 42.5%, but many organisations were still left disappointed with its content.
- Nuclear waste challenges - Nuclear energy looks set to become one of the major topics in Croatia in 2025 as the country is obliged to take half of the nuclear waste from the Krško Nuclear Power Plant, which it co-owns with Slovenia. Construction of a nuclear waste storage facility at the former Čerkezovac military barracks, located on the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina and just a few kilometres from the Una River, is set to begin in 2025. The project is awaiting the issuance of a permit and the conduct of a public consultation. The Croatian government had previously stated its support for Slovenia's plans to build a new unit at the Krško plant.
The latest from Croatia - last month in recap
The latest from Croatia - last month in recap
- Sharp criticism of NECP - The update of Croatia’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) has faced sharp criticism by environmentalists and renewable energy advocates for prioritising investments in fossil fuels, particularly gas infrastructure, while neglecting the country’s vast potential for solar energy production. Environmental organisations such as Zelena akcija and DOOR have called on the government to remove measures that encourage fossil fuel use, and to strengthen provisions for investing in renewable energy. Similarly, the economic-interest group RES Croatia derided the plan as a “list of half-hearted goals and missed opportunities” which fails to serve as a decisive step towards a more climate-friendly future and greater energy independence. Greenpeace activists protested on 28 November, criticising the plan for allocating nearly 2 billion euros in public funds to expand gas infrastructure while failing to take advantage of Croatia’s large solar energy potential, leaving the country at the bottom of Europe’s rankings for solar energy use. Petra Andrić, Programme Director at Greenpeace Croatia, accused the government of addressing climate challenges with new fossil fuel projects, including further drilling on land and in the Adriatic. She also criticised the plan’s reliance on the Krško nuclear power plant, noting its intended operation into 2050.
- Croatia set to gain another geothermal power plant - Turkish company Tera Energy Generation has been granted permission by the economy ministry to extract geothermal water at the Legra 1 field in the municipality of Legrad, near the Hungarian border in northern Croatia. Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with the plant becoming operational in 2028. This region boasts significant geothermal potential, with a geothermal gradient – the rate of temperature change with increasing depth – 60 percent higher than the European average.
- Renewable energy projects stalled - The Croatian Chamber of Commerce and the Renewable Energy Sources Association estimate that around 40 major renewable energy projects are currently on hold in Croatia. This issue was discussed at the Better Energy 24 Hours conference held in late November in Zagreb. For the second consecutive year, the Chamber’s Industry and Sustainable Development Sector has issued a position paper highlighting the challenges posed by an unstable regulatory framework, which hinders the growth of renewable energy. The paper also addresses investor concerns, including inconsistent regulations and uncertainty over basic costs such as grid connection fees, which have remained undefined since 2022.
- Rail modernisation - In December, Croatia completed the 61 million euro upgrade and electrification of the 19-kilometre Vinkovci–Vukovar railway, with 85 percent of funding provided by the EU. This project is part of a larger effort to modernise the country’s rail infrastructure.
Katarina's picks - reading recommendations
Katarina's picks - reading recommendations
- Local climate action guide – The Good Practices in Climate Action and Energy Transition at the Local Level report from early December serves as a valuable tool for local authorities, showcasing examples of successful climate measures and energy transition initiatives based on positive experiences from seven EU countries.
- Digital tools for sustainability – The two new digital platforms Atlas of Croatia’s Biodiversity and the Spatial Sensitivity Maps for Solar and Wind Power Development in Croatia, developed in collaboration between The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Hrvoje Požar Energy Institute, aim to support the preservation of natural resources and the development of sustainable energy solutions.
- Social impact of decarbonisation - The environmental non-profit organisation “Zelena akcija” presented a Social Analysis of the “Decarbonisation Study of Croatia by 2035”, focusing on the process of phasing out gas. The analysis highlighted that replacing gas with renewable energy sources could improve energy security and affordability, create new jobs, and support energy-poor households.
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