Croatian electricity distribution system operator HEP ODS has put its 10-year development plan for a public debate, which will last until 16 March.
Jurisdiction over the distribution network, which includes 35 kV, 30 kV, 20 kV, 10 kV and 0.4 kV voltage levels, is divided among 21 distribution areas, forming four groups. Total connected power was 504 MW at the end 2021, consumption amounted to 15,609 GWh with losses amounting to 7.2 %, the lowest level since 2012. The average capacity of the production facility connected to the distribution network was 126 kW.
Biogas and biomass had the highest share in electricity generated by facilities connected to the distribution network – 36 %, followed by hydropower with 16 %, wind with 10 % and solar with 9 %, which has the highest number of connected facilities.
According to the plan, in the period until 2025, a large increase connected capacity is expected in the following distribution areas: Zabok, Bjelovar, Osijek, Vinkovci, Slavonski Brod, Pula, Rijeka, Split, Dubrovnik, Sisak, Gospic and Virovitica.
A moderate increase is expected in Zagreb, Varazdin, Zadar, Sibenik and Karlovac, while small increase is expected in Cakovec and Koprivnica. In the period between 2026 and 2030, HEP ODS expects a large capacity increase only in the Sibenik distribution area.
Planned investments in the 2023-2032 period amount to 1.27 billion euros, 160 million euros per year in the 2023-2025 period and 115 million euros per year after 2025.
At the end of 2021, total capacity of prosumers connected to the distribution network was slightly lower than 10 MW.
The number of solar power plants delivering produced electricity to the network was 3,741 at the end of 2021, with 139 MW of capacity (88 MW at low and 50.9 MW at medium-voltage).