Croatia recorded a temporary electricity surplus in the first quarter of 2026, allowing the country to export more power than it imported. The outcome was mainly driven by exceptionally strong hydrological conditions, which significantly boosted hydropower generation across the system.
According to data from the Croatian Renewable Energy Association, total available electricity reached 5,227 GWh between January and March, marking a 4% increase year-on-year. During the same period, domestic demand stood at 5,096 GWh, resulting in a net export surplus of 131 GWh.
Electricity consumption continued to grow despite relatively mild winter conditions. Total demand increased by nearly 2% year-on-year, while temperature-adjusted consumption rose more strongly by 4.4%, reaching 5,182 GWh.
Renewable energy sources dominated Croatia’s electricity mix, accounting for 62.2% of total generation. Hydropower remained the backbone of the system, contributing 39% of total supply after output rose by 22.3%, supported by abundant water inflows.
Solar energy delivered the strongest growth among all technologies. Output from solar plants surged by 50.7% compared to Q1 2025, reflecting continued expansion of installed capacity and favorable development conditions for photovoltaic projects.
Wind generation moved in the opposite direction, falling by 12.8% due to weaker wind conditions, which led to a slight overall decline in other renewable output categories.
Croatia also continued to rely on its share of electricity from the Krško nuclear power plant, receiving 758 GWh during the quarter, unchanged from a year earlier. Nuclear energy accounted for 14.5% of total available electricity supply, providing a stable baseload contribution alongside variable renewable sources.
Overall, the first quarter highlighted Croatia’s increasing dependence on hydropower and solar generation, with favorable weather conditions temporarily shifting the country into a net exporter position.
