Renewable energy’s share in Croatia’s electricity generation has inched forward over recent years. By the end of 2024, renewables accounted for 58.04 percent of electricity production, according to the latest data compiled by the Hrvoje Požar Energy Institute (EIHP). The “Energy in Croatia” report is available on the Ministry of Economy’s website.
Growth barely registers
Despite these headwinds, the electricity sector remains relatively strong. Renewables increased their share by 0.9 percent in this segment. While this is well below previous years’ growth rates, it still marks a step in the right direction. Other sectors, however, are moving in the opposite direction. The share of renewables in heating and cooling fell by 3.8 percent—marking the fourth consecutive annual decline. The transport sector is also struggling: EIHP recorded a 2.1 percent increase for 2024, but renewables make up just 0.94 percent of total transport energy. The share of modern drivetrains compared to conventional combustion engines has already dropped for the second straight year.
Overall, the share of renewables in Croatia stands at a meagre 26.71 percent. Declines in buildings and transport have driven total renewable energy consumption down by 4.9 percent, reaching a ten-year low.
Buildings and transport remain persistent challenges
As a result, Croatia continues to drift away from its own energy transition targets. The country aims for 42.5 percent renewables in total energy consumption by 2030, yet buildings and transport remain the weakest links. By 2030, 47.1 percent of all heating and cooling should be provided by renewables, but the current figure is just 34.8 percent.
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The outlook for transport is particularly bleak. With renewables at only 0.94 percent, there is little sign of an energy transition. The 2030 target is 24.6 percent, and how Croatia might reach this goal is still entirely unclear.
Solar and wind must accelerate
Even in power generation, renewables account for only 58.04 percent. To achieve the 76.7 percent target by 2030, the government will need to simplify regulations—particularly for solar and wind projects. Only four years remain to match the new capacity added over the last decade, and hydropower is not included in this calculation.
Hydro, wind and solar outperform other technologies
Wind power, with just over 1.3 gigawatts of installed capacity, is the second-largest source of electricity after hydropower. Thermal power plants fuelled by coal and gas take third place, with a combined capacity of 1.285 gigawatts. Photovoltaics come next, with 902 megawatts of grid-connected capacity; off-grid systems are not counted here. EIHP estimates that PV installed on holiday homes or for mobile phone stations amounts to nine megawatts.
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For comparison: Croatia’s total installed generation capacity is 5.68 gigawatts. Hydropower leads, with 2.19 gigawatts installed—most from pumped-storage plants. Run-of-river and small hydro plants account for about one third of total hydropower output.
Solar overtakes coal in the mix
Hydropower delivers more than a third of Croatia’s electricity, producing 6,878 gigawatt hours per year from a total of 15,360 gigawatt hours. With gas making up a large share of the system, thermal plants generate 5,085 gigawatt hours in total, with gas-fired plants contributing 3,222 gigawatt hours. Wind power is now the third-largest source, supplying 2,577 gigawatt hours. PV also outpaces coal, generating 820 gigawatt hours compared to coal's 797 gigawatt hours. Biomass plays a significant role with 678 gigawatt hours, and biogas adds another 349 gigawatt hours to the mix. (su)
