Croatia imported 29.6 percent of its electricity last month, relying largely on supplies from Hungary—a country that increasingly sees Croatia as a competitor for regional influence, energy transit leadership, and strategic positioning within both NATO and the European Union. This level of dependence raises questions about why a state would place such a significant portion of its energy security in the hands of partners with whom political issues remain unresolved, especially while presenting itself as a committed supporter of EU decarbonization and sustainability goals.
Despite years of renewable-energy ambitions, Croatia’s green energy profile still leans heavily on its ageing hydropower fleet, which remains the backbone of the country’s RES statistics. In contrast, solar deployment is severely lagging. Croatia ranks second to last in the European Union for installed solar capacity, and small rooftop systems—rather than utility-scale projects—account for an overwhelming 92 percent of all solar installations in the country.
European Commission forecasts project that the share of electricity in final energy consumption across Europe could double by 2040. To meet that demand with clean energy, expanding and strengthening grid infrastructure is becoming one of the most pressing challenges. Maja Pokrovac, director of the Renewable Energy Association of Croatia (OIEH), warned that grid development is progressing far too slowly to support the integration of large-scale renewable projects.
Croatia consumes around 5,500 GWh of electricity annually. During the summer months, imports regularly account for roughly a quarter of total consumption, while solar power contributes only about 5 percent and wind farms approximately 9 percent. Compared with global benchmarks, Croatia’s solar generation remains marginal.
Energy expert Ante Renić cautions that foreign investors are increasingly skeptical about Croatia’s ability to deliver on nearly three billion euros’ worth of planned renewable-energy investments. Due to administrative delays and an unpredictable project-development environment, many are now considering redirecting their capital to countries with clearer procedures and more reliable regulatory conditions.
