Electricity in Croatia in 2024

As of 2024, Croatia's electricity consumption reflects a significant pivot towards low-carbon solutions, with more than half of its electricity being derived from clean energy sources. Hydropower is a substantial contributor, accounting for 35% of the total electricity supply. Wind energy contributes approximately 13%, while biofuels and solar together add almost 10% combined. Meanwhile, fossil fuels still account for about 21% of the electricity generation, with gas being the primary fossil source at 17%. Additionally, Croatia imports a notable portion of its electricity, approximately 21%, which suggests room for increasing domestic electricity production through sustainable means.

Suggestions

To further enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Croatia can focus on expanding its wind energy capacity. This is already a strong area for the country and has considerable potential for growth given its geographic capabilities. Croatia can draw inspiration from Denmark, a leader in wind energy, generating over half of its electricity from wind. Moreover, investing in nuclear power could significantly boost Croatia’s clean energy production, as demonstrated by several of its European counterparts – Slovakia and Slovenia, for instance, heavily rely on nuclear energy, with nuclear power providing 62% and 34% of their electricity, respectively. Croatia should consider the benefits of combining these approaches to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and imports, thereby ensuring energy security and environmental sustainability.

History

Looking back at Croatia’s history with low-carbon electricity, hydropower has been a longstanding pillar of its energy strategy, marked by periods of both growth and decline. Notable increases occurred in the mid-1990s and early 2010s, where years like 1996 and 2013 saw substantial rises in hydropower generation by more than 2 TWh. Conversely, there were years with significant underperformance, such as 2011, which experienced a sharp decrease of over 4 TWh. Despite these fluctuations, hydropower has remained a key contributor. In recent years, up to 2024, Croatia has continued to see minor ups and downs in hydroelectric output, reinforcing the need for diversification through other low-carbon sectors like wind and solar, ensuring steady and resilient electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Maximum Imports

Data Sources