Dispatch from Croatia | September '24
***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
- NECP delay – Most EU member states have not yet submitted their updated national energy and climate plans (NECP) to the European Commission, with Croatia being one of them, having missed the June 30 deadline. The Ministry of Economy said that the update is "in the final phase" of development, and that the public discussion will be open “by the end of the month”. This is isn’t the first time the government said the final document is “almost finished”, having said the same in July.
- Energising islands – The international conference "Future of energy communities on islands" will be held on October 2nd on the Croatian island of Cres. In addition to Croatian delegates, the European Small Islands Federation (ESIN), as well as representatives from islands in Finland, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Italy and Malta will attend the conference and discuss the development of energy communities. [Please note: The conference hasn’t been announced online, but more info is available from: maja.jurisic@islandmovement.eu]
The latest from Croatia – last month in recap
The latest from Croatia – last month in recap
- Energy price hike – The government will reduce energy subsidies from 1 October, resulting in a 10 percent price increase for electricity and gas. In a first step, electricity bills will rise by 6.5 percent for the month of November. At the start of next year, another price increase will bring the total to 10 percent. Gas prices will increase by the same amount over the same period.
- Approval for more energy communities – Croatian energy authorities greenlit two so-called energy communities: The Energy Community of the Northern Adriatic in August and DVD Špičkovina in September. Energy communities enable community members to jointly invest in renewables and share the electricity they produce. The Northern Adriatic initiative is only the second energy community registered in Croatia and will serve citizens of Drenova, Rijeka and Primorje-Gorski Kotar County. DVD Špičkovina was founded by members of the voluntary fire department in Zabok in Northern Croatia and plans to build a solar power plant with a capacity of 64 kW. Starting an energy community in Croatia is very complicated as it takes 18 different permits, according to a new study on the feasibility of energy communities in Croatia.
- Regulator in need of a president – The economy ministry has finally announced a job advertisement for the president and one member of the Managing Council of the Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency (HERA), the main body for the regulation of energy markets in Croatia. These positions have been vacant for almost two years following a series of criticisms and investigations into the agency’s work. Since the agency is in charge of decisions that are key for the economy and citizens, the hope is that the appointments will bring an end to delays.
- Environmental assessment 5 years late – The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition and Šibenik-Knin County have announced a public hearing on the environmental impact of the country’s second biggest wind farm Krš-Pađene. The wind farm, which is based near the town of Knin and has a capacity of 142 MW, has been in operation for five years already. This is the first time in Croatia that an environmental assessment will be conducted after project completion. This is because the European Commission took Croatia to court for violation of environmental legislation due to the lack of an environmental impact assessment.
- Warmest month on record – Last month was not only the warmest August on record at most Croation weather stations, but also the warmest month since measurements began, according to data published by the State Hydrometeorological Institute. The deviations from the average air temperature during the period from 1991 to 2020 ranged from 1.8 °C in Makarska to 4.7 °C in Bilogora.
- Wind farm impact on birds – Zagreb-based NGO BIOM has created new guidelines for assessing the impact of wind farms on birds. The goal is to improve the system at the national level to minimise negative consequences such as direct collisions with propellers, habitat loss, and the so-called barrier effect, which deters birds from using their normal routes to feeding or roosting grounds. It can be downloaded here.
Marina’s picks – highlights from upcoming events and top reads
Marina’s picks – highlights from upcoming events and top reads
- Reading recommendation – Geothermal expert and pioneer Dragutin Domitrović, who manages the construction of the first geothermal power plant in Velika Ciglena, said in an interview that “geothermal sources in Croatia have the potential to become a significant part of the country's energy mix.”
- Green construction – Croatia’s Green Network of Environmental Groups (ZMAG) will host the VIII. natural construction convention on 5 October at the Recycled Estate Vukomerić in the vicinity of Zagreb. The convention is a window into the possibilities offered by natural materials in construction. It’s a great opportunity for learning and socialising with construction experts, artists, architects, engineers, and all lovers of healthy lifestyles.
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