Croatia generated 902 GWh of net electricity in May 2026, with hydropower, wind and solar accounting for almost 90% of reported domestic production. The system nevertheless remained heavily dependent on imports.
Figures published by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics show that hydropower plants produced 330 GWh, representing 36.6% of total net generation. Wind farms contributed 274 GWh, or 30.4%, while solar plants generated 201 GWh, equivalent to 22.3%. Thermal plants supplied only 21 GWh, or 2.3%.
The reported comparison states that production was 17% lower than in May 2025, when output was 981 GWh. The two absolute figures, however, imply a decline of approximately 8%, indicating that the percentage comparison and published volume data are not fully aligned. The absolute production values provide the clearer basis for assessing the system balance.
Croatia imported 1,174 GWh during the month, down 3% from 1,210 GWh a year earlier. Exports fell more sharply, declining 15.5% from 721 GWh to 609 GWh. Net imports consequently reached 565 GWh, equivalent to more than 62% of domestic net generation.
The generation structure demonstrates the rapid growth of Croatian renewables, but it also exposes the system to hydrology, wind conditions and intraday solar variation. Domestic renewable output can be strong in aggregate while the country continues importing during evening hours or low-output periods.
Hydrocarbon statistics presented a mixed picture. Croatia produced 60mn cubic metres of natural gas, unchanged year on year, while imports increased by 1.5% to 277mn cubic metres. Domestic crude-oil production remained at 39,000 tonnes. Petroleum-product output rose from 316,000 tonnes to 365,000 tonnes, an increase of approximately 15.5%.
The combination of stagnant domestic gas production and higher gas imports reinforces the importance of new offshore drilling and regional supply infrastructure. In electricity, Croatia’s growing wind and solar fleet is reducing the carbon intensity of domestic production, but the country still relies on imports to reconcile renewable intermittency with its hourly demand profile.
