Over the past year, from December 2024 to November 2025, Croatia has sourced more than two-thirds of its electricity from low-carbon sources. This clean electricity backbone is primarily supported by hydropower, which accounts for about a third of total electricity generation, while wind energy makes up almost a fifth. On the fossil front, nearly a fifth of Croatia's electricity is derived from fossil fuels. Net imports cover more than a seventh, and while gas contributes just about 15%, coal is responsible for close to none, approximately a third of that. Solar energy provides a modest uplift of around 7%, and biofuels contribute approximately 4%.
Data sources used on this page include ENTSOE and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Croatia?
Croatia's overall electricity consumption has shown a decline, leaving room for significant improvement. In 2025, the average consumption per person was 3968 kWh, which reflects a drop of nearly a thousand kWh from the country's peak in 2023 at 4936 kWh. This decrease is mirrored in the low-carbon sector, with a current per-person low-carbon electricity consumption of 2618 kWh, down by 502 kWh from the previous record. The downward trend in both total and low-carbon electricity generation is concerning, especially as the world increasingly witnesses the electrification of various sectors, which requires more electricity generation, especially from clean sources.
Suggestions
To bolster its low-carbon electricity generation, Croatia could significantly benefit from expanding its wind energy sector, which has already proven to be a substantial contributor. In addition, the country can look toward regions and countries with significant solar and nuclear contributions. For instance, Nevada produces a remarkable 33% of its electricity from solar energy, and France has set an exemplary model with 68% of its electricity derived from nuclear sources. Drawing lessons from such successes, Croatia could consider further investments in both solar and nuclear capabilities to secure a sustainable and energy-resilient future while reducing reliance on fossil fuels that are detrimental to the environment.
History
Looking at the historical data on low-carbon electricity in Croatia, hydropower has seen a dynamic trajectory over the decades. The early 1990s to the mid-2000s were characterized by significant fluctuations, with gains as seen in 1991 and 1996 but also notable declines around 1997 and 2002. The late 2000s and early 2010s continued this trend, with a notable dip in 2011 followed by a strong recovery in 2013. More recent years show continued variability, including a recovery in 2023. Overall, Croatia's history with hydropower underscores the importance of diversifying its low-carbon portfolio with more consistent sources like solar and nuclear to mitigate such fluctuations and build a robust, future-ready electricity system.
