Croatia is developing a multi-layered energy position based on LNG transit, electricity storage, hydrogen infrastructure and advanced battery manufacturing.
The expansion of the Krk LNG terminal from 2.9 billion to 6.1 billion cubic metres annually is being matched by new pipeline capacity. Completion of the Zabok–Lučko pipeline and related investments will increase transport capacity towards Hungary to 3.5 billion cubic metres annually and towards Slovenia to 1.5 billion cubic metres. Approximately €530 million has been invested in the infrastructure package supporting Croatia’s role as a gas entry point for Hungary, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Croatia is also preparing a cross-border hydrogen network. Engineering company Monter Strojarske Montaže and pipeline specialist CRC Evans plan to participate in more than 200 kilometres of infrastructure connecting Croatia, Slovenia and Italy’s Friuli-Venezia Giulia region through the Northern Adriatic Hydrogen Valley.
The electricity system is becoming more renewable but more volatile. Renewable sources provided more than 62% of available electricity during the first quarter of 2026, supported by strong hydrology and growing solar production. Croatia temporarily returned to net exports even as consumption increased to 5,096 GWh, up almost 2% year on year.
Summer demand exposes the other side of that transition. Peak consumption during heatwaves has risen by close to 20%, placing Croatia among the European markets with the strongest cooling-related demand growth. The system has remained stable, but the consumption profile strengthens the commercial case for storage.
Market operator HROTE and the EBRD are therefore developing incentive arrangements for stationary battery systems. A carefully designed framework could allow batteries to combine balancing services, wholesale arbitrage, congestion management and renewable-capture-price protection rather than relying on a single revenue stream.
Croatia’s industrial position is also strengthening. Rimac Technology has started serial production of high-voltage battery systems for BMW at its Kerestinec campus. Two automated lines containing 49 robots can produce as many as 300,000 modules or 48,000 complete battery systems annually. The programme is expected to create 150 jobs, moving Rimac further into the global Tier 1 automotive supply chain.
