January 9, 2026
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Croatia launches subsidy call for electric taxi, delivery, car-sharing vehicles

The Government of Croatia has launched a public call to grant subsidies for the purchase of electric vehicles intended for use in taxi, delivery, and car-sharing services.

This is the first public call in Croatia for co-funding for the purchase of electric vehicles for taxi, delivery, and car-sharing services.

The program for the allocation of non-refundable aid was published by the Croatian Ministry of Environment and Green Transition. The call is part of a mechanism for investments in road transport with zero emissions.

The grants were secured via the European Union’s Modernisation Fund.

There is EUR 22 million earmarked for taxi drivers,

From the entire EUR 45 million package, taxi drivers are entitled to EUR 22 million, versus EUR 20 million for delivery vehicles, while EUR 3 million is set for car sharing providers, according to the public call.

The ministry aims to support the purchase of zero-emission vehicles – EVs of categories M1 or N1, to achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector by 20.99% by 2030 from the 2005 level.

In category M1 are passenger vehicles with a maximum of nine seats, and N1 are light commercial vehicles with a maximum permissible weight of 3.5 tons. The maximum subsidy per vehicle is EUR 9,000, meaning the call should co-finance the purchase of at least 5,000 EVs.

North Macedonia is supporting the purchase of EVs for taxi drivers

The submission of applications kicks off on January 15, 2026. It lasts until the funds are exhausted, or at the latest until September 30, 2026.

Three months ago a subsidiy program for taxi services was launched in North Macedonia.

The Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning and an association of cab drivers are implementing a project to subsidize 200 EVs.

It is a part of efforts for cleaner, quieter, and more efficient urban transportation for the citizens of Skopje and the entire country. It is one of the cities with the most polluted air in the world.

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December 27, 2025
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ENNA kicks off installation of its first solar power plant outside of Croatia

Romanian ENEVO Group has started the construction of a solar power plant for Croatia-based ENNA Group.

The site for the 87.5 MW photovoltaic plant is 25 kilometers southwest of Romania’s capital Bucharest. It is ENNA Group’s first major investment outside of Croatia.

Installation began after an EPC contract was signed in November between PVP Cepheus, owned by ENNA Solar, which is part of ENNA Group, and Romanian Enevo Group, ENNA said.

The Giurgiu solar power plant will be built in the Mihăilești area on 93 hectares. The expected annual electricity production is 133 GWh, the company added.

The investment is part of ENNA’s ten-year plan

The plant’s commercial operation and power delivery to the grid are scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. It is an investment of around EUR 60 million, according to the update.

“We are extremely pleased to announce the start of construction of our solar power plant just a few months after taking over the project. It is also a confirmation that we have chosen very reliable partners,” ENNA Group CEO Boštjan Napast stressed.

With this investment, the company is proving its commitment to a ten-year business plan with planned investments of EUR 330 million in solar energy in Croatia and abroad, he explained.

Under the EPC contract, Enevo is responsible for the entire solar power project – design, procurement, and construction.

Bureau Veritas is in charge of supervision services

Enevo Group Technical Director Radu Brașoveanu said it supports the expansion of the ENNA Group into the Romanian renewable energy market with this strategic solar investment.

Bureau Veritas will be in charge of supervision services in line with FIDIC standards, ENNA added.

Of note, the project in Romania was acquired in April.

It is implemented by ENNA Solar, which is part of the energy division of the ENNA Group. The parent company said it has around 50 MW in operational renewable energy plants or advanced projects, as well as about 350 MW in various stages of development.

ENNA is developing two geothermal power projects – Zagocha (Slatina) and Babina Greda.

In addition to energy, the company operates in the logistics sector.

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December 16, 2025
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Firms from Croatia, BiH, Serbia to build power line in North Macedonia

Croatia-based Dalekovod, Elnos from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbian Kodar Energomontaža will jointly build electricity transmission infrastructure in North Macedonia.

Dalekovod said it signed a EUR 19.7 million contract with MEPSO, the transmission system operator of North Macedonia, as the lead member of a consortium that includes Elnos BL and Kodar Energomontaža.

The contracted works include the delivery and construction of a 400 kV power line from the 400/110 kV Bitola 2 substation, via the 400/110 kV Ohrid substation, to the North Macedonia – Albania border.

The project ensures long-term stability of the electricity system in the wider region

The new Ohrid substation is currently under construction, with Končar, another Croatian company, as contractor. Končar is the majority shareholder of Dalekovod since 2022.

The Croatian firm pointed out that the new power line in North Macedonia represents a significant infrastructure project ensuring long-term stability of the electricity system in the wider region.

Dalekovod: Strengthening position in the regional and European market

Construction is scheduled for completion by mid-2028.

Of note, all three companies are active on the territory of former Yugoslavia, as well as across Europe and even worldwide. The owners of Elnos and Kodar are individuals from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, respectively, while the largest shareholders of Dalekovod are the Government of Croatia and three foreign banks operating in the country.

Operations in the region, Europe, Africa

Dalekovod has subsidiaries in six countries, including Namibia. In October, the company concluded a EUR 100 million deal for the construction of a 400 kV power line in Sweden.

Elnos BL is part of Elnos Group based in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The company, which recently marked a remarkable dual jubilee – 80 years of tradition and 30 years of modern business development, operates in 18 countries.

A week ago, it signed a contract with Power China Construction Group to build a connection to the transmission grid for the 300 MW Vetrozelena wind farm in Serbia.

Kodar Energomontaža, headquartered in Serbia’s capital Belgrade, has carried out numerous projects across Europe – from southeastern Balkans to Scandinavia, as well as in West Africa.

In March, the company inked a deal with Serbia’s transmission system operator Elektromreža Srbije (EMS) for the construction of a two-system 400 kV transmission line, part of the Trans-Balkan Electricity Corridor.

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December 10, 2025
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Siemens Energy, Končar to install electrolyzer, solar power plant for INA

Siemens Energy and Končar will install an electrolyzer and a solar power plant for Croatian oil and gas company INA.

INA said it has signed two important contracts for the implementation of the green hydrogen production project at its Rijeka refinery.

By signing contracts with reputable companies, with a total value of EU 33 million, INA has secured the preconditions for the implementation of the first commercial green hydrogen production plant in Croatia, according to the update.

A contract with Siemens Energy and Končar was signed for the construction of a 10 MW green hydrogen production and distribution plant. The order is estimated at EUR 22.5 million excluding VAT.

INA has already secured the delivery of the electrolyzer

The second contract, worth nearly EUR 11 million excluding VAT, was signed with Končar. It envisages the construction of a 11 MW photovoltaic plant. The facility would supply electricity to the electrolyzer.

As part of the project, INA has already secured the electrolyzer, a key system for water electrolysis and hydrogen production from renewable sources. Its majority owner, Hungarian MOL, inaugurated its first 10 MW electrolyzer in April last year.

Green hydrogen is intended for use in transportation

The green hydrogen that would be produced is intended for the market, primarily for transportation purposes, and it could also be used in the refinery’s production process. The company recalled that, by a decision of the Ministry of Economy, it received a EUR 15 million grant from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

The program is for the production and distribution of hydrogen in transportation.

The hydrogen market in Croatia is in an early development phase. INA’s plant could produce about 1,500 tons of green hydrogen annually.

Of note, Croatia adopted a hydrogen strategy in 2022. The government subsidizes the installation of chargers for hydrogen fueled vehicles.

Ortutay: Hydrogen could open new market opportunities for INA

INA CEO Zsuzsanna Ortutay said European and national strategies consider renewable hydrogen a technology of the future.

The renewable hydrogen that INA will produce can open new opportunities for the company in the market, but also improve the sustainability of Rijeka refinery through emission reductions, Ortutay stressed.

According to Končar CEO Gordan Kolak, green hydrogen isn’t only a technology of the future but a key element for decarbonizing industry and transport.

As the main contractor for the construction of this plant, Končar confirmed its role as a reliable partner developing key expertise for the European energy infrastructure in the decades to come, Kolak added.

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December 8, 2025
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Zagreb to invest EUR 56 million in waste management, low-emission machinery

Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, intends to invest EUR 56 million in waste management, green areas, and low-emission machinery. It expects the investment to reduce the environmental footprint of its municipal utilities and their operating costs.

Zagreb Holding (ZGH), the umbrella firm for the city’s utility companies, has requested approval from the authorities for a long-term EUR 56 million green loan agreement.

The Zagreb city assembly will decide on the request on December 16.

The green loan agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) would finance investments aimed at supporting the development of circular waste management by procuring lower-emission vehicles and machinery for separate waste collection, developing green spaces, and maintaining roads.

ZGH to introduce smart waste management technologies

The loan would also be used for primary waste separation infrastructure, bio-waste treatment facilities, as well as information and communication technologies for data-driven smart waste management operations, ZGH said.

The company intends to replace its existing outdated machinery by acquiring municipal vehicles, machines, and equipment, with the aim of increasing operational efficiency and the scope of services provided to citizens.

Additionally, this investment will have a significant environmental impact by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

NOx and PM emissions will be reduced by up to 80%

According to an analysis by ZGH, the average age of more than 300 vehicles, machines, and pieces of equipment is 14 years, which significantly exceeds the average economic service life of vehicles and machines. More than 70% of the vehicles do not meet current environmental standards (EURO 6), which leads to negative impacts on the environment and rising maintenance costs.

Thanks to the investment in EURO 6 and Stage V compliant vehicles, emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and PM particles would be reduced by up to 80%, the update reads.

ZGH plans to introduce digital systems to increase the operational efficiency of its vehicles and machinery, such as monitoring fuel consumption, technical condition, and mileage.

The loan proceeds will be allocated to the city’s public utilities.

The waste utility Čistoća will receive EUR 22.2 million, road utility Zagrebačke Ceste EUR 14.9 million, green areas utility Zrinjevac EUR 16.4 million, cemetery utility Gradska Groblja EUR 861,000, the ICT Sector EUR 1.5 million, and the customer relations sector EUR 120,000.

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December 2, 2025
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Air pollution spikes throughout Croatia

The Croatian Ministry of the Environment and Green Transition has warned of air pollution across most of the country in previous days. It expects improvement over the weekend.

“In recent days, with the arrival of colder weather and the start of the heating season, a significant increase in the concentrations of air pollutants has been recorded, especially particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) across most of Croatia,” the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition said.

Measuring stations of the State Network for Continuous Monitoring of Air Quality, as well as local stations in most of Croatia’s mainland, are recording a significant increase in the concentrations of air pollutants, including PM10 and PM2.5 particles.

Especially in Zagreb, Sisak, Kutina, Koprivnica, Bjelovar, and Slavonski Brod, monitoring stations registered levels as high as 100 micrograms per cubic meter at times. It is several times above the limit defined by the regulations, the update reads.

The increase in concentrations is primarily driven by emissions from household heating

Two to three times higher values than usual were also recorded at the station in the village of Desinić, on the border with Slovenia. It demonstrates that PM particulate air pollution in Croatia is not exclusively a local or urban issue, but a regional challenge, the ministry stressed.

The cause of the increase in concentrations are primarily emissions from household heating, particularly fueled by solid fuels: wood and coal, the update underlines. The situation is further aggravated by stable weather conditions, the lack of wind, and the occurrence of a temperature inversion.

An additional contribution to air pollution comes from traffic

In urban areas, especially in Zagreb, transportation enhances air pollution. Its impact has intensified in recent years due to the constant growth in the number of vehicles, according to the ministry.

Although wood heating remains the most significant source of PM, all emission sources, including traffic and industry, are amplified in such stable meteorological conditions, the ministry added.

Wind and warmer weather are expected to improve air quality

The ministry claims that current concentrations aren’t causing acute health problems. However, long-term exposure to excessive concentrations of PM increases the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and shortens life expectancy.

Particularly vulnerable are sensitive population groups such as the elderly, children, adolescents, pregnant women, and people suffering from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

The ministry advised citizens to monitor the air quality forecasts of the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ) and the information on the Air Quality Portal. The portal offers an overview of the current air quality situation in the country with real-time data.

The ministry also recommended that citizens, particularly people with chronic illnesses, the elderly, and children, reduce outdoor activities during periods of such excessive concentrations.

In cooperation with the state institutions and local authorities, the ministry is implementing measures defined in air quality action plans to reduce emissions. DHMZ is currently implementing several projects on air protection and is preparing new ones.

An improvement in air quality is expected over the weekend, when temperatures will rise and the southwesterly wind will strengthen, the ministry said.

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October 30, 2025
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Croatia finally close to removing major obstacle to investments in renewables

After three years of delays, Croatia is finally close to adopting a methodology for the calculation of the grid connection fee for renewable power plants. Investors have repeatedly urged the authorities to enact the document, arguing it was the main obstacle to investments in renewable energy sources.

The Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency (HERA) said it has developed a draft methodology for determining the electricity grid connection fee. The public discussion, which began on October 23, lasts until November 21.

According to HERA, the effect of required investments in the transmission network on the network usage fee depends on the share of the connection fee in the total costs of developing the high and very high voltage network, as well as on the amount of grants.

It is possible to connect to the grid even before all technical conditions are met

The effect on the network usage fee will become evident when the relevant network reinforcements are completed, for example, in 10 to 15 years, the agency said.

The costs of developing the transmission network to achieve goals from the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) will be financed partly from the grid connection fee and partly from the network usage fee.

HERA pointed out that the legislative framework allows network users to connect even before all technical conditions met, by signing flexible connection agreements, which envisage the possibility of operational restrictions regarding connection capacity.

Personnel decisions have delayed the process of determining the fee

The Renewable Energy Sources of Croatia (RES Croatia) association repeatedly warned that the failure to determine the grid connection fee has halted projects worth around EUR 3 billion overall.

In mid-September, together with SolarPower Europe and WindEurope, RES Croatia sent a letter to the European Commission to raise concerns about the crisis in the country’s renewable energy sector.

According to domestic media, one of the main reasons for the delay in determining the grid connection fee was that HERA’s Management Board was incomplete for two years.

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October 30, 2025
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Croatia allocates EUR 50 million for prosumers in business sector to install BESS

Croatia has allocated EUR 50 million to support businesses in installing batteries for storing energy from their existing solar power plants or ones they plan to install.

In recent years, many companies all over Europe have installed solar panels for self-consumption to reduce electricity costs. But battery energy storage systems (BESS) offer additional benefits for such prosumers.

Now Croatia’s Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development has launched a public call for the allocation of grants to firms.

Small, medium, and large entrepreneurs are eligible to apply

The goal is to enable entrepreneurs to store the energy produced in their power plants and use it when it is most needed – delivering it to the grid later or for their own consumption.

The call is financed by funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). Small, medium, and large entrepreneurs are eligible to submit applications. The deadline is January 31, 2026.

The ministry’s goal is to continue investments in the power system, thereby ensuring the integration of an increasing amount of energy from renewable sources.

BESS has numerous advantages over other technologies: high efficiency, adaptability, reliability, economic viability, and fast response, the call reads.

The call targets installation of batteries with a total capacity of 60 MWh

All applicants must specify concrete benefits that would be achieved by implementing the project in their bids.

BESS projects with a total capacity of at least 60 MWh could be installed by the end of the second quarter of 2026, according to the call.

New energy storage capacities would significantly increase the flexibility and resilience of the domestic power system, the ministry said.

The minimum subsidy amount per project is EUR 60,000, and the highest is EUR 1.5 million. The minimum storage capacity eligible for grant is 1 MWh per facility.

Of note, Croatia has already implemented a call for the installation of batteries in firms.

However, the subsidies were allocated for joint installation of renewable power plants and batteries.

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October 30, 2025
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Zagreb kicks off decarbonization of public transport

Zagreb’s public transport utility ZET has received EUR 21 million from the Government of Croatia to install chargers for electric buses.

Croatia has earmarked EUR 50 million for firms providing public urban and suburban transport services to install chargers for electric buses. Zagreb is also in the process of procuring 70 electric buses.

The grant agreement was signed by Minister of Economy Ante Šušnjar, public transport utility ZET’s CEO Marko Bogdanović, and Luka Balen, manager of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund.

The EUR 21 million agreement is from the public call on charging infrastructure for electric buses, according to the Ministry of Economy.

ZET will install 62 dual e-chargers

The funds are from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021-2026.

ZET intends to build the devices at the Podsused location. As part of the project, the company will install 62 dual chargers, providing 124 charging points for low-floor electric buses.

Minister Ante Šušnjar underlined that it is an important step toward decarbonizing public city transportation.

With an investment worth over EUR 21 million, the government is backing the decarbonization and sustainable future of Zagreb, Šušnjar added.

Balen: Other cities and municipalities are also committed to decarbonization through smart city projects

Luka Balen, manager of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, pointed out that other Croatian cities and municipalities are also committed to decarbonizing transportation. It is evident from the smart city projects co-financed by the fund.

Local authorities, through projects involving smart management, aim to reduce traffic jams and to offer citizens alternative transport options, such as urban bike systems, and cleaner urban transportation, Balen stressed.

ZET CEO Marko Bogdanović highlighted the agreement as a historic step and the start of the decarbonization of public transport in Zagreb.

After purchasing the first electric buses in Croatia, ZET and Zagreb are once again leading the implementation of new technologies in the region by signing the agreement for the installation of chargers for e-buses, Balen said.

ZET is one of 18 pre-selected public transport operators eligible for grants under the public call. The total value of ZET’s project is EUR 27.4 million.

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October 3, 2025
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Croatian company Brodosplit delivers equipment for French floating wind farm pilot project

Croatian shipbuilding company Brodosplit has manufactured steel structures for the floating foundations of an offshore wind farm in one of the first such pilot projects in France.

The site for the EolMed project is approximately 18 kilometers from the coastal town of Gruissan in the Occitanie region of southern France.

Qair is leading the consortium, which includes oil and gas giant Total Energies and floating platform provider BW Ideol as its partners. The three 10 MW wind turbines, supplied by Vestas, are about to be installed at a spot where the sea is 55 meters deep.

According to Brodosplit, the project has entered its final phase after the successful launch of the three floating platforms in September.

It isn’t Brodosplit’s first floating wind farm project

The Croatian firm said it manufactured and delivered the metal structures for the floating foundations, in line with the highest quality and safety standards.

Before joining the EolMed project, it entered the floating wind farm segment through cooperation with Ocergie. Brodosplit has created an innovative measuring buoy, OCG-Data, for the France-based company’s Blue Oracle project.

The EolMed project received state support as part of the investments for the future program

The buoy is equipped with a LiDAR (light detection and ranging) system and advanced sensors for monitoring wind, waves, currents, and sea biodiversity, enabling the collection of crucial data for the development of floating wind farms and the preservation of the marine environment, Brodosplit pointed out.

Since EolMed’s initial design in 2016, it has been adjusted and adapted to incorporate the latest technologies. Initially comprising four wind turbines, the number has since been reduced to three for equivalent capacity.

The change also affected the choice of material for the floats – now steel instead of concrete. Construction began in April 2023, and completion is planned for this year.

The project received state support through the Investments for the Future Programme (Programme d’Investissements d’Avenir – PIA). The goal is to demonstrate the economic viability of floating wind farm technology.

Photo: Brodosplit
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