Dispatch from Croatia | September ‘26

Nuclear talks – Croatia’s economy ministry is preparing to conduct non-binding talks with potential nuclear technology suppliers and partner countries. The country’s new law to develop nuclear energy came into force in June, and the government is currently drafting a national action plan for integrating nuclear power into Croatia’s electricity system, expected by the end of the year, with the aim to cover 30 percent of the country’s total electricity consumption by 2040. Croatia currently shares a nuclear power plant with Slovenia, with the technology covering around 16 percent of its power needs.

New energy support package – The Croatian government adopted its 11th package of measures to protect households and businesses from high energy prices, including the continuation of subsidies and regulated prices for electricity, gas and district heating. The measures will apply between 1 October 2026 and 31 March 2027 and are intended to soften the impact of rising energy costs on the economy.

Electricity market reform – Croatia aims to strengthen consumer protection and support its power system by establishing a clear legal framework for flexibility services, battery storage integration, and dynamic pricing. The government has sent amendments of the respective law to parliament. The proposals would protect vulnerable consumers from disconnection, promote renewable energy sharing and long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), a financing mechanism for renewables, and allow temporary price interventions to protect small businesses during an energy crisis. They would also extend deadlines for renewable projects delayed by unresolved grid connection issues.

Record heat drives summer electricity demand to new highs – Croatia’s exceptionally hot summer drove electricity demand to record levels. In August, summer demand exceeded winter peaks, driven by air-conditioning and tourism in high temperatures. In popular coastal towns, electricity use can be up to five times higher in summer than in winter. According to the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service, Rijeka on the northern Adriatic recorded 20 days when high temperatures posed “very high danger” to human health, while extreme heat was also recorded in the coastal city of Split, as well as in inland Knin. The extreme summer conditions were also accompanied by major wildfires in Dalmatia. In mid-August, a fire near Omiš burned around 1,000 hectares, forced around 2,000 people to evacuate and severely damaged the local electricity network. In September, another major wildfire on the island of Brač caused evacuations and power outages.

Waste-to-energy plants climb Croatia’s agenda – In a bid to boost domestic energy production, Croatia is also considering waste-to-energy. Economy minister Ante Šušnjar said Croatia is a laggard in the EU in this area and that the ministry supports energy recovery from waste, with preliminary options and projections already prepared. Croatia currently has no waste-to-energy plants, while around 500 operate across Europe, Šušnjar said. In Croatia’s capital of Zagreb, such a project is becoming more likely, with mayor Tomislav Tomašević calling it necessary and economically viable and Croatian Power Utility (HEP) identifying the Thermal Power Plant & Heating Plant (TE-TO) in Zagreb as a potentially suitable site.

Funding for electric homes – The government launched a 38-million-euro support package for household solar photovoltaic (PV), heat pump and battery storage systems as part of its Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund. This is the first time Croatia has subsidised residential batteries. Households can receive up to 50 percent of eligible costs, rising to 70 percent for those at risk of energy poverty. The programme is expected to support around 6,500 renewable energy systems, with applications open until the end of the year or until funds are exhausted.

Mass protest over illegal waste dumping – Tens of thousands of people gathered in Zagreb in early September to protest against illegal waste dumping across the country, with the main scandal involving organised illegal disposal of commercial and industrial waste by companies and individuals. Around 44,000 tonnes of waste, including hazardous material, have reportedly been deposited in Gospić, halfway between Zagreb and Split, most of it buried underground. Investigations cover several other locations. The protestors, an unusual sight in Croatia, called for an urgent clean-up, stronger monitoring, and tighter controls on waste imports. Illegal waste dumps contaminate and degrade soils, pollute water resources and often release climate-warming gases. Following the protests, the Croatian government presented a remediation plan for the illegal waste site in Gospić. 

Tackling energy import dependence – Croatia imports around 60 percent of the energy it consumes, so experts are now looking at energy security, prices and renewable energy development to tackle this dependence. At the ENERGREEN energy conference in September, they said the country’s gas supply remains secure thanks to Croatia’s LNG terminal, storage facilities and strong gas infrastructure. Renewable electricity production, particularly solar, is also increasing, but speakers stressed that faster implementation of energy projects and greater investment in battery storage, grid projects and other flexibility solutions will be important for reducing electricity prices and grid management costs. Croatia’s installed solar capacity reached around 1.5 gigawatts (GW), overtaking wind for the first time.

Recommended reading: What is really wrong with Croatia’s waste system? Klimatski.hr offers useful background on Croatia’s waste crisis, showing how illegal dumping, weak infrastructure and poor implementation form part of a much longer-running problem. The article also examines links between the waste sector and organised crime, and highlights Croatia’s distance from EU waste targets.

Event to watch: Master Business Forum 2026 The third Master Business Forum will take place in Rovinj from 8 to 11 October. Energy will be among the main themes, alongside the defence industry, artificial intelligence, technology, finance, tourism and sustainable development.