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Research of potentials for small hydro power plants in the Republic of Croatia

It is common practice to compare the potential of small hydro power plants in Croatia with potentials found in neighbouring countries of similar characteristics. In Slovenia, for example, installed power in small hydro power plants (which have been built to date) is 88 MW, and another 44 MW is in the planning and construction stage. These facilities have been constructed by means of private investments in construction and utilization of hydro potential of small watercourses. Switzerland has 737 MW installed in small hydro power plants, and Austria has 950 MW. In these countries, hydro power plants with installed power of up to 10 MW are considered to be small units. This article addresses potential for small hydro power plants in the Republic of Croatia, based on research of gross potential of watercourses and potential of constructed units. It should be pointed out that until recently, facilities in Croatia with installed power of up to 5 MW were considered small hydro power plants, and therefore data are not comparable to relevant data from above mentioned countries. However, there are indicators showing that there are few locations where small hydro power plants with installed power of 5 to 10 MW may be constructed. All hydro power generators with installed power of up to 10 MW have been taken into account in terms of defining used potential of small hydro power plants.

small hydro power plant; instaled power output; gross potential; utilized potential

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