Hrvatska elektroprivreda (HEP) is positioning itself at the forefront of geothermal energy deployment, with preparations already underway to integrate newly discovered resources into existing district heating systems.
The initiative follows recent exploration results that confirmed significant geothermal potential near several cities, including Velika Gorica, Osijek, Vinkovci and Zaprešić. These locations are particularly relevant, as they are already served by HEP’s heating subsidiary, which currently relies on gas and fuel oil. According to company representatives, these findings open the door to a full transition toward low-carbon heating in the identified urban areas. In some cases, plans are even being considered to connect geothermal sources across cities, potentially linking Velika Gorica with the capital Zagreb into a unified heating system powered by renewable energy.
Local authorities have expressed strong interest in participating in the next stages of development. Municipal leaders from the affected cities indicated readiness to cooperate with HEP on integrating geothermal sources into their centralized heating networks, signaling growing institutional support for the project.
However, moving from discovery to implementation will require significant investment and infrastructure development. The first step involves drilling reinjection wells to support sustainable operation. This will be followed by the construction of heat pipelines connecting geothermal sources to existing systems, alongside resolving land ownership issues and updating spatial planning frameworks, all of which represent key implementation challenges. Initial costs for preparatory works and reinjection wells alone are estimated at around 30 million euros, with funding expected to come in part from European Union sources.
Experts highlight the economic advantages of geothermal heating, noting that, based on European experience, it could reduce heating costs by as much as 50 to 70% compared to current systems. This potential is especially relevant given ongoing volatility in global energy markets, reinforcing the strategic value of cost efficiency and energy stability. Officials involved in the exploration phase described the results as highly encouraging, pointing out that the probability of successfully locating geothermal resources at a given site is typically low, making the confirmed discoveries particularly significant for Croatia’s energy transition ambitions.
