In 2024, electricity in Croatia is largely driven by low-carbon sources, comprising more than half of the nation's electricity supply, with hydropower contributing a significant portion at 35%. Wind and solar power also play key roles, collectively accounting for roughly 17% of the electricity mix. On the fossil fuel front, electricity is mainly derived from gas, which represents 17% of Croatia's electricity. Coal has a minor share, generating close to just 4% of electricity, showcasing Croatia's commendable effort in reducing reliance on this high-emission source. Additionally, Croatia imports about 21% of electricity, suggesting room for growth in domestic generation to meet the country's energy needs sustainably.
Is Electricity Growing in Croatia?
The latest figures show that per-person electricity consumption in Croatia is on the rise, reaching a new high of 5019 kWh, up by 160 kWh from the previous record in 2021. However, despite this increase in overall consumption, the per-person generation of low-carbon electricity has seen a slight decline. The current figure stands at 2895 kWh, which is 190 kWh less than the peak recorded in 2023. This situation, while not yet alarming, signals a pressing need for Croatia to ramp up its clean electricity generation if it intends to continue growing its electricity consumption sustainably, reduce dependency on imports, and stay on track towards a healthier energy balance.
Suggestions
To bolster low-carbon electricity generation, Croatia should focus on expanding its wind energy facilities, which already contribute a notable share of electricity. Additionally, Croatia can take cues from successful regions known for their robust clean energy profiles. Denmark, with over half of its electricity coming from wind, could offer strategies for optimizing and scaling up wind energy infrastructure. For solar, drawing inspiration from Greece, which generates over a fifth of its electricity from solar, can be beneficial in expanding this segment. Moreover, to diversify its low-carbon portfolio, Croatia can look at adopting nuclear energy, learning from neighboring countries like Slovakia and France, where nuclear power constitutes more than 60% of their electricity generation, helping to ensure a stable and clean electricity supply.
History
Historically, hydropower has been the backbone of low-carbon electricity in Croatia, but its contribution has seen significant fluctuations over the decades. In the early 1990s, the hydroelectric sector faced some setbacks and reductions in output, but it quickly rebounded with substantial increments in mid and late 1990s. In the first decade of the 2000s, hydroelectric generation again experienced some downturns, although there were notable recoveries in 2004 and 2009. The past decade has continued this trend of ups and downs, exemplified by substantial growth in 2013 and modest rises in more recent years, including a decline seen in 2024. While hydropower remains pivotal, the volatility underscores the necessity for Croatia to diversify into steady low-carbon energy sources like wind, solar, and potentially nuclear, ensuring a resilient and sustainable electricity mix for the future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.