Dispatch from Croatia | November '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'.***

• NECP delay - Croatia has not yet submitted its update of the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) to the European Commission, even though the deadline was on 30 June. The submission of the NECP update to the EU Commission is preceded by a 30-day public consultation, overseen by the Ministry of Economy, which has yet to be announced.

• Scandal surrounds Krško nuclear expansion – In neighboring country Slovenia, a referendum on expanding the Krško Nuclear Power Plant was cancelled due to a scandal, a matter also relevant to Croatia as the plant, operational since 1983, is jointly owned by the two former Yugoslav nations. Krško provides about 20 percent of Slovenia’s and 16 percent of Croatia’s electricity. The Slovenian parliament voted to cancel the referendum, initially scheduled for November 24, following footage aired on the Slovenian public broadcaster Tarča, which revealed discussions among top Slovenian politicians about proceeding with the plant’s second block regardless of voters' input.
• Higher electricity bills - As of 1 November, the average Croatian household’s monthly electricity bill increased by two and a half euros, with an additional rise of around 60 cents expected in January 2025. This was announced by the government back in September, when Prime Minister Andrej Plenković stated that energy subsidies introduced during the energy crisis would be reduced. This means an electricity price increase of 6.5 percent this year, followed by an additional 3.5 percent at the beginning of next year. Croatians can thus expect a total increase of 10 percent in electricity costs by January.
• Activists claim victory - The "Save Una" initiative, which brings together environmental activists from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and beyond, welcomed a decision made by the construction ministry in mid-October, declaring the construction permits for the small hydropower plant 'Una-mlin' on the Una River (a border river between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia) null and void. Permits from 2016, 2018, and 2019 were revoked due to the lack of an environmental impact assessment, making them illegal. Activists had previously held protests, highlighting the harmful effects of the project and irregularities in the issuance of permits. Although the activists succeeded in their efforts, the initiative warns that the Una River is already suffering due to redirected water flow and a shortage of drinking water, and they are calling for urgent restoration of the area.
• Energy communities on the islands – At the “Future of Energy Communities on the Islands” conference held in early October on the island of Cres (one of the northern islands in the Kvarner Gulf), the importance of involving residents of Croatia’s many island communities in the energy transition toward sustainable energy sources was a major topic. Currently, three energy communities have been established in Croatia; however, due to high costs and regulatory barriers, they have not yet produced or distributed electricity. The conference emphasized the urgent need for legislative changes, removal of barriers, and provision of financial incentives to enable the development of robust energy communities.
• First Croatian electric minibus – At the professional conference "A New Era of Transport," held on 8 October in Zagreb, discussions focused on the transition toward sustainable transport and decarbonization, with an emphasis on infrastructure for electric mobility and alternative fuels. The first Croatian electric minibus, MUNIVO, created by the company Novatec (specialized in automation of industrial processes) in partnership with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture at the University of Zagreb, was also presented at the event. Dr. Bruno Židov from the Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar (EIHP) highlighted that Croatia recognizes the necessity for transforming its transport sector and that a revision of the national policy framework sets targets for emission reduction and the development of the alternative fuels market. Notably, according to Eurostat research, Croatia ranks lowest in the EU in terms of using renewable energy sources in transport, with a share of only 2.4 percent .
• Co-financing of solar PV plants - The Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund has announced a call for co-financing solar PV plants on family homes. The fund offers citizens who installed solar PV systems on their homes during 2023 the opportunity to receive a 50 percent retroactive refund on their investment, with 4.8 million euros allocated for this purpose. (Applications open on 4 November)

• Report on electricity trends - The Renewable Energy Sources of Croatia (RES Croatia) association published a report on electricity trends in Croatia for the period June – August 2024. The report reveals the importance of electricity imports, which totalled 1,316 gigawatt-hours, accounting for 24.8 percent of consumption.
• Study on climate misinformation beliefs - The Climate Portal (Klimatski portal) and the University of Zadar published the results of a study conducted as part of the project “Facts about the Climate Crisis – klima.faktograf.hr,” which showed that Croatian residents believe they have a good understanding of climate change issues and are capable of recognizing factually incorrect information. However, when asked if they believe in specific climate-related misinformation, it was found that belief in misinformation is widespread.
• Analysis of repression against environmental organizations - The association Zelena akcija (non-governmental association of citizens for environmental protection) presented an analysis on the pressure faced by environmental organizations in Croatia. It is the first report of its kind and revealed systemic repression (which includes not only physical violence, but also covert forms such as limiting collective action, reducing funding, and ignoring proposals to improve the system) targeting such organizations and activists.