Hrvatski
The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović participated in the 4th session of the Energy Transition Council of the President of the Republic of Croatia, which presented Guidelines for Encouraging Citizens and Entrepreneurs to Construct Integrated Solar Power Plants. The Guidelines were drafted by the Council chaired by Julije Domac, PhD, Special Adviser to the President of the Republic of Croatia for Energy and Climate.
These Guidelines attempt to significantly encourage the so-called civic energy, i.e. remove obstacles so as to increase the construction of solar power stations by citizens and entrepreneurs according to principles of righteousness and transparency. The Energy Transition Council of the President of the Republic of Croatia proposes to incorporate these guidelines into the relevant legal framework governing this area in the Republic of Croatia – the Act on Renewable Energy Sources and Highly Efficient Cogeneration and the Electricity Market Act, with a view to fulfilling the preconditions for connecting the new solar power plants in the electricity transmission and distribution network. Electricity from solar power plants in the European Union accounts on average for 5% of the total electricity produced, while in the Republic of Croatia this share is only 0.4%. In order to reach the European Union average at the very least, it would be necessary to have at least 800 MW of solar power plants installed, which is significantly more than the current 100 MW.
The President’s Special Adviser for Energy and Climate and Energy Transition Council Chair Dr. Julije Domac said the following: “Never in the history of the Republic of Croatia has the topic of civic energy, the topic of renewable energy sources for citizens of Croatia and its entrepreneurs been the subject of discussion between the President of the Republic and the minister responsible for the economy and sustainable development. Unfortunately, Croatia lags behind similar countries in the use of renewable energy sources, especially in the use of solar energy for its citizens. I am glad we have concluded today that it is worth working on this, that we will work together and that the Ministry and the President’s Council have similar views on how to improve things. According to European regulations and plans, by the end of 2050 one out of two EU citizens will produce energy on their own. I think that we, as a state, as a society, owe our citizens the opportunity to be equal and free and on par with all EU citizens. These guidelines provide very concrete solutions and proposals. The Ministry is in the process of amending the laws regulating this and I believe that this is the start and a positive contribution to a constructive debate and dialogue that we have been engaged in since day one”.
