Ramping up solar and wind to 5 GW and 4.2 GW, respectively, can help Croatia well achieve its 100% renewable energy goal by 2030, says a new study by Greenpeace.
For solar, this would be an increase from 1 GW capacity installed in the country at present, and make it the power generation source with the largest share under a 100% renewable energy scenario. Wind power with 4.22 GW will follow next, followed by 2.4 GW of hydropower, 880 MW of thermal power and co-generation of RES and 68 MW of geothermal power plants.
In this scenario, the projected total electricity production will be 24.86 TWh/year as against the total demand of 22 TWh.
For solar, the study recommends encouraging floating solar power plants to save the use of expensive land. Writers demand an incentive program, including grants, to be launch for floating solar in 2025 to finance at least 4 facilities – on an existing reservoir, a facility integrated with agricultural production, an offshore project at sea, and at least one array on a protected water surface such as water pumping station or a protected lake. Pilot floating solar power plants should be promoted via tenders.
It would not only be an environmentally sound decision to shift towards renewables, but a strategic one, according to Greenpeace Croatia Program Manager Petra Andrić, as it would strengthen the country’s energy security, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and boost the economy. Greenpeace also sees it as avoiding the loss of human lives due to the climate crisis caused by the fossil fuel industry.
In comparison, Croatia’s official energy strategy estimates 2.7 GW of rooftop solar potential, but detailed analyses, as mentioned in the study, suggest it could reach over 10 GW using just rooftops. Including other surfaces like walls, parking lots, and walkways could raise this even further.
The Greenpeace-commissioned study by a team led by Prof. Dr. Sc. Goran Krajačić from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture stresses on political will to ensure the achievement of the goal.
“Such a decision should include clear signals towards improving the electricity system and building and strengthening the network and ensuring energy storage,” said Krajačić. “Renewable energy sources also encourage the democratization of society by involving citizens in energy communities that produce, store and share energy, and in a way share their own energy future.”
Additionally, boosting renewables will also require overcoming the transmission network and promoting energy storage in the country.
The complete study titled 100% Renewable by 2030—A Plan for the Green Transition of the Croatian Electricity Sector is available in Croatian on the Greenpeace website.
