engleski

Development of RES sector in Croatia with emphasis on solar energy

Over last ten years, Croatian energy sector has faced steady increase in total primary energy supply, while only in 2009 and 2010 a weak decrease in total primary energy supply was recorded. Share of new renewable energy sources in energy supply has highest growth rate, but has also the lowest energy production. Share of RES in total electricity supply reached 2.1 % in 2010, thus Croatia was unable to fulfil target for 5.8 % share of RES. Primary energy self supply stood at 55.5 % in 2010, making it 10-year maximum [1]. RES legislative framework, introduced in 2007, consists out of five by-law acts. These acts had defined targeted share of RES, eligible producer, procedure for obtaining status of eligible producer, market players, level of feed-in tariffs for different RES technologies and fund from where these money is coming from. It should be emphasized that existing RES legislative framework practically covers only production of electrical energy in grid connected systems. This legislative framework has undergone some changes in 2012, mostly in regard of procedure and level of feed-in tariffs. Solar energy represents the energy resource that is not yet fully exploited, although Croatia, especially the coastal part, has a good potential of solar irradiation. Use of solar energy is traditionally linked with the installations of individual solar thermal systems for family houses and tourist sector objects as well as photovoltaic systems for remote locations. RES legislative framework allowed economically feasible development of PV plant projects, thus many projects were triggered by this acts. So far, there are more than 80 commissioned PV plants with installed capacity over 2, 200 kW, but some of the commissioned projects struggle to reach final destination in administrative procedure and obtained right for electricity production payment. Majority of the commissioned capacities are small PV plants installed on the roofs of buildings, but also several medium size projects were realized in 2012. Few larger photovoltaic plants are in early development phase. This paper will give overview of current commissioned projects, as well as overview of possible future projects regarding use of solar energy in photovoltaic systems. Solar thermal system capacity has steady increase in installed capacity, which is boosted in last years with several different initiatives on local and regional levels. Estimated area of solar collectors in Croatia in 2010 was around 95 000 m2 which is equivalent to 64 MW of heat power capacity. Heat energy production from these capacities is estimated to be 218 TJ. Although the legislative framework and administrative procedures for obtaining the status of eligible producer are defined, there are still bottlenecks present. To facilitate and simplify the introduction of RES projects in Croatia new law on RES is under development and it should be implemented in 2012.

renewable energy; legislative framework; photovoltaics; solar thermal system

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