Croatian state-owned power utility HEP is preparing a new renewable energy investment near Zadar, where it plans to develop a large solar power plant combined with battery storage. The project, located a few kilometers south of the city’s airport, is part of the company’s broader strategy to expand its portfolio of clean energy assets.
The planned Sukosan solar power plant will span close to 55 hectares and is expected to deliver an installed capacity of around 56.5 MW. Alongside the photovoltaic installation, the project includes a new 110/33 kV substation and a battery energy storage system with up to 200 MWh of capacity and a power output of 50 MW, enhancing system flexibility and grid stability.
HEP has already secured a location permit for the project and is awaiting a construction permit before the summer. If the timeline proceeds as planned, construction could begin by the end of the year, marking another step in the company’s push toward accelerated energy transition.
Financing for the project will be supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The Sukosan development is part of a broader investment package that also includes the planned 36 MW Zelovo wind farm, with the combined value of the two projects estimated at approximately €110 million.
The company has recently strengthened its presence in the Zadar region with the commissioning of the Korlat solar power plant, which has a capacity of 99 MW and is part of a larger energy complex that also includes a 58 MW wind farm, further consolidating the area as a key renewable hub.
HEP is also planning additional expansion in the same region. Another major solar project, the Crno facility with an expected capacity of 90 MW, is planned for development in the medium term, reinforcing Zadar’s role as a growing center for renewable energy development in Croatia.
