Renewable energy in Croatia: a review of present state and future development

Renewable energy has recently experienced a rapid expansion in Croatia. The improved feed-in tariff system attracted substantial investments and boosted the electricity generated from renewable energy systems. The installed renewable energy capacity rose rapidly from 100 MW in 2011 to more than 500 MW in 2016, In 2014 alone, 200 MW of new wind power plants were added. The total installed capacity in renewable power plants is capable of generating around 1250 GWh of renewable electricity per year. Renewable electricity represents a share of around 7% in the annual electricity consumption of Croatia. Wind energy is by far the most significant renewable energy source in Croatia, generating more than 85% of the renewable electricity. By installed capacity, the 455 MW in wind power plants is followed by 25 MW in biomass and biogas power plants, 12 MW in cogeneration and 8 MW in solar PV power plants. In order to keep up with the running expenditures within the feed-in tariff system, the incentive fee for renewable electricity support was increased fivefold by the end of 2013, At present, end consumers support renewable electricity generation with 5% of the cost of electricity. This incentive fee is expected to rise with newly added renewable power plants, aiming to double the share of renewable electricity from the present 7% up 13.6% by 2020.