A large-scale energy infrastructure investment is being developed to support the planned Pantheon AI campus in Topusko, with construction of key transmission assets expected to begin in late 2027 as preparations intensify for one of Croatia’s most ambitious technology projects.
Project representatives stated that the development of dedicated power infrastructure is a prerequisite for the future AI data center, which is estimated to be worth around $50 billion. The energy component alone, including transmission systems, is expected to require between €400 million and €450 million in investment.
According to project lead Mario Gudelj and Dalekovod Group CEO Bruno Štambak, whose company is involved through a Končar Group partnership, financing for the transmission infrastructure has already been secured. Current plans still target the first operational users entering the facility in the first quarter of 2029.
The planned electricity network will consist of a new 400 kV transmission system made up of four lines spanning approximately 300 kilometers, along with a new transformer station that is expected to become the largest in Croatia. Once completed, the assets are intended to be transferred to the Croatian transmission system operator HOPS.
Developers emphasized that the system is designed with strong redundancy and reliability standards. Although the AI campus is expected to require around 1 GW of electricity, the supporting infrastructure is being built with significantly higher capacity margins. Each transmission line is planned to handle approximately 1.3 GW, ensuring long-term operational stability.
Electricity procurement will also follow a non-traditional model. The project will primarily rely on long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) rather than direct exposure to Croatia’s wholesale electricity market. One agreement has already been signed with Greenvolt, while additional supply is expected from various renewable energy developers.
Planned energy sources include solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower, alongside future battery storage systems to improve flexibility and grid balancing. Developers estimate that the AI campus will ultimately require around 2 GW of renewable generation capacity to meet its annual electricity demand.
They also argue that the project could strengthen Croatia’s broader electricity system, potentially enabling the integration of more than 5 GW of additional renewable projects currently waiting in development pipelines.
Project officials dismissed concerns that the facility could create electricity shortages or significantly distort market prices, pointing instead to expected growth in domestic power generation capacity in the coming years.
