In 2025, Croatia's electricity consumption revealed a significant reliance on low-carbon sources, with these clean energy types making up more than half of the country's total electricity generation. Hydropower alone accounted for nearly 28% of electricity production, showing its role as a cornerstone in the national energy mix. Wind and solar also contributed substantially to clean energy supplies, with each source providing roughly 16% and 7% respectively, while biofuels offered slightly under 5%. Fossil energy, on the other hand, represented a smaller portion of the mix, contributing around 16%, mainly from gas and coal. Notably, net imports filled over a quarter of the country's electricity needs, reflecting Croatia's dependence on neighboring regions for energy supply.
Data sources used on this page include ENTSOE and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Croatia?
Examining recent trends, Croatia's overall electricity consumption has experienced a modest increase, reaching an average of 5238 kWh per person in 2025—68 kWh more than in 2024. This growth in electricity usage is encouraging, indicating a potential rise in demand consistent with trends supporting clean electrification and AI advancements. However, a concerning development is the decrease in low-carbon electricity output, which fell to 2911 kWh per person, marking a decline of 209 kWh compared to 2023. This drop suggests potential barriers or insufficient support in expanding clean energy capacity, an area requiring immediate attention as Croatia pushes toward sustainability.
Suggestions
To bolster its low-carbon generation, Croatia could focus on scaling up wind power, a sector already generating significant electricity. By learning from countries with successful wind and solar initiatives, such as Denmark, where wind accounts for 60% of electricity generation, or leveraging insights from the Netherlands with their effective solar efforts, Croatia can build upon its clean technology infrastructure. Furthermore, embracing nuclear energy, as exemplified by France or Slovakia, where nuclear provides over 65% of power, could provide a stable and large-scale clean energy backbone, helping Croatia to reduce fossil fuel usage and meet future energy demands sustainably. A blend of expanding wind and adopting nuclear alongside increased commitment to solar development can expedite the transition to a cleaner electricity future.
History
Historically, Croatia's low-carbon electricity sector has seen fluctuations, particularly in hydropower. Throughout the 1990s, hydroelectric output saw changes, including a notable increase of 1.6 TWh in 1991 and a peak of 2.2 TWh in 1996. The following decades were marked by variability, with both significant gains, such as 3.7 TWh in 2013, and pronounced declines, including a drop of 4.1 TWh in 2011. The last few years highlighted a rollercoaster pattern, with a promising boost of 2.7 TWh in 2023 countered by decreases in subsequent years. These patterns underscore the importance of diversifying Croatia's clean energy portfolio to minimize the impact of hydrological variability and secure a stable low-carbon future. By further developing wind and introducing robust nuclear infrastructure, Croatia can mitigate the inconsistencies seen in hydroelectric generation while driving a resilient and cleaner energy landscape.
