Comparative analysis of regulatory frameworks for renewable energy sources in European union, Croatia and countries of the region

The energy sector is nowadays facing two major challenges - ensuring the security of energy supply to end users and mitigation of related adverse environmental impact, especially in the light of Kyoto Protocol obligations fulfilment. The task of regulatory framework in every country is to properly respond to these requests taking into consideration also requests for energy sector restructuring and liberalisation within specific national circumstances. The special place in the energy policy of the European Union as well as of Croatia and other countries in the region belongs to the renewable energy sources (RES), which can be a significant part of the solution for the energy sector's major concerns. Comprehensive regulatory framework has to provide legal and institutional support as well as economic incentives for enhanced utilisation of renewables with the goal of removing the major barrier for stronger RES penetration into the power system. The aim of this paper is to compare Croatian regulatory framework for renewables with the European Union's as well as with regulations in other countries of the region. The most usual incentives are described, while barriers for stronger RES penetration into the power system are identified and solutions based on the best European practices are suggested.