Croatian oil company INA has completed the installation of solar panels at its Rijeka refinery, marking a key milestone in the development of Croatia’s first commercial-scale green hydrogen facility.
The company confirmed that construction and installation works on the 11 MW solar power plant were finalized at the end of June, in line with initial requirements under a €15 million grant agreement financed through Croatia’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
The solar plant will supply renewable electricity to an electrolyzer that will produce green hydrogen, forming the core of the new production system. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to generate around 1,500 tons of hydrogen annually, which will be used both for market supply and for internal refinery processes.
Although mechanical installation of the solar system has been completed, the project is now entering its final commissioning phase, which includes technical testing and system validation before full operation begins. In parallel, installation of the electrolyzer continues, with completion planned by the end of 2026.
The project is being delivered by Croatian engineering company Končar, acting as the main contractor, and represents a total investment of approximately €61 million.
INA CEO Zsuzsanna Ortutay described the initiative as one of the company’s flagship sustainability projects. She stated that the green hydrogen facility will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving refinery efficiency, and supporting the development of Croatia’s emerging hydrogen economy.
