Croatian state-owned power utility HEP is approaching the completion of two solar power plants in the Kvarner region, while also advancing plans for an additional project on Cres island.
The first project, the 1 MW Unije solar power plant, has a total investment value of around €1.6 million. Once operational, it is expected to generate approximately 1.6 million kWh of electricity annually. Commercial operation is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026.
In parallel, construction is nearing completion on the Cres solar power plant, which HEP is developing in partnership with Končar. The facility will have a grid connection capacity of 6.5 MW and is expected to produce around 9 million kWh per year. More than 20,000 photovoltaic panels have already been installed, while testing and commissioning are currently underway ahead of a planned autumn launch.
HEP is also preparing the Ustrine solar power plant near Osor on Cres island. This proposed project will have a capacity of 9.9 MW and is being developed in cooperation with Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and the City of Mali Lošinj.
According to regional data, electricity demand on the Kvarner islands averages around 50 MW in winter, rising significantly during the summer tourist season.
