Croatia Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in croatia, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Energy
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Total energy consumption in Croatia in 2023 amounted to 370.2 PJ (equivalent to approximately 102.8 TWh), which is 3.9 per cent higher than the previous year when it amounted to around 356.2 PJ. Energy intensity in the Republic of Croatia in 2023 amounted to 72.9 kgoe / 103 US$ 2010 (according to purchasing power parity), 5.4 per cent lower than the average in the European Union (EU 27). Final energy consumption in 2023 amounted to 289.9 PJ and increased by 3.1 per cent compared to the previous year (281.1 PJ). In the final energy consumption structure, industry participated with 17.0 per cent (49.1 PJ), transport with 35.9 per cent 104.2 PJ), and other sectors with 47.1 per cent (136.6 PJ). The share of renewable energy sources in gross final energy consumption in 2023 is estimated at 28.1 per cent (according to the EUROSTAT methodology), 1.4 percentage points lower than in 2022.

Croatia imports about 54.54% of the total energy consumed annually: 74.48% of natural gas, 78.34% of oil and petroleum products, and 100% of its solid fossil fuel needs.  Croatia also co-owns the Krško nuclear reactor in Slovenia, which is included in its energy mix as imported electricity.

To become energy-independent and sustainable, Croatia counts on its abundant renewable energy resources. In March 2025, the Croatian government updated its Energy Strategy for the period until 2030, with an outlook through 2050. The Strategy includes a wide range of energy policy initiatives that will improve energy security, increase energy efficiency, lower dependence on fossil fuels, increase local production, and increase renewable resources. The Strategy predicts that renewable energy resources as a share of total energy consumption will grow to 42.5% in 2030, and to 65.6% in 2050. The government intends to spend about $1.4 billion on grid modernization, with a goal of increasing renewable energy source connections by 2,500 MW by 2030. 

Leading Sub-Sectors

Renewable Energy

Croatia has significant potential for the use of renewable energy sources, including solar energy, wind energy, hydro energy, and geothermal power. 30 percent of energy currently consumed in Croatia is produced from renewable sources, with large growth potential. In recent years, there has been an increase in investments in solar and wind power projects. The greatest progress in 2024 was made in the installation of integrated solar power plants on homes and industrial facilities. As much as 90% of new capacity comes from these systems, supported by incentives from the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund. Croatia also has high potential in geothermal power, with six active exploration projects for electricity and heating plants in central and eastern Croatia. These regions, located in central Europe’s Pannonian basin, have an average geothermal gradient 60% higher than the European average. 

Liquified Natural Gas (LNG)

Just two years before the war in Ukraine, Croatia installed an LNG floating terminal on Krk Island, allowing the country to quickly source LNG from the United States and Middle East as an alternative to the Russian gas. Imports through the Krk terminal – largely sourced from U.S. suppliers – have successfully replaced the 60% of Croatia’s gas demand that was previously supplied by Russian’s Gazprom. 

The government has started a project to double the capacity of the LNG terminal by 2026 to 6.1 billion cubic meters annually. To support LNG terminal growth and gas diversification in neighboring countries, Croatia has started the expansion of its pipeline network to Slovenia and Hungary. The expansion plans also include the Southern Gas Interconnection project to connect Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Croatian gas system and the Ionian-Adriatic Pipeline to connect it through Montenegro to the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline in Albania.

Civil Nuclear Energy

In February 2025 Croatia has announced plans to build small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) on its territory, marking a significant step toward enhancing its energy security. During 2025, Croatia has focused on developing a nuclear energy law, with a working group in place to draft the legislation. The law will establish a Nuclear Energy Agency to oversee regulatory aspects of SMR development. While specific locations for the SMRs have yet to be determined, the country plans to build the first units within a decade. From its 50 percent stake in ownership and operations of the joint Croatian Slovenian nuclear power plant in Krško built in 1981, Croatia has gained significant experience and expertise in nuclear technology. 

Opportunities

  • Battery Storage
  • Grid Integration and Grid Enhancing Technologies
  • Geothermal Well Drilling Equipment
  • Geothermal Power Plant Construction Services and Equipment
  • Gas Pipeline Construction Services and Equipment
  • Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Technologies

Resources

  • Ministry of Environmental Protection and Energy (Croatia)
  • Croatian Electricity Company (HEP)
  • Croatian Electric Energy Transmission Operator (HOPS)
  • Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency (HERA)
  • Croatian Energy Market Operator (HROTE)
  • Energy Institute Hrvoje Pozar (EIHP)
  • The Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund (FZOEU)
  • Renewable Energy Sources of Croatia (OIE)

 

U.S. Embassy - U.S. Commercial Service
Manuela Celic Marusic, Commercial Specialist
Zagreb, Croatia
Tel:  +385 (0)1 661 2020
Email: Manuela.CelicMarusic@trade.gov
Website: https://www.trade.gov/croatia

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