May 10, 2023 – Today, the expert study Action Plan for the Uptake of Offshore Renewable Energy Sources in Croatia was unveiled at the Croatian State Archives in Zagreb. The study was developed by Oikon’s experts, in collaboration with the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture and the Island Movement. Initiated by Renewable Energy Sources of Croatia (RES Croatia) and financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, this is the first comprehensive study in Croatia that addresses all vital segments of offshore renewable energy sources.
Considering the need to boost offshore renewable energy sources across the EU, and given that such projects tend to have longer construction times than land-based projects due to their size and complexity, the European Commission has outlined the main challenges and proposals for adopting offshore renewable energy sources. To tap into this potential in Croatia, it is crucial to develop the legislative framework as soon as possible. The study offers an overview and analysis of Croatia’s potential for utilizing offshore renewable energy sources and proposes an action plan.
The action plan identifies areas of the Adriatic Sea suitable for offshore renewable energy technologies, primarily wind power plants and floating photovoltaic power plants, while ensuring their development is eco-friendly.
“In the northern Adriatic’s low-impact zone, the identified sea area could potentially accommodate up to 25 GW of offshore wind power capacity. If extended to medium-impact zones, the potential offshore wind capacity increases by an additional 32 GW. To maximize the use of offshore RES zones, it is proposed that offshore wind projects be developed alongside floating photovoltaic power plants and connected to other activities, such as hydrogen production and mariculture.
Considering the low and medium-impact zones, the central and southern Adriatic boasts over 26,000 km² of potentially available area for offshore renewable energy sources. Due to the deeper sea in this region, future development would concentrate on floating wind farms and floating photovoltaic plants.
These areas should be viewed as guiding values, as each renewable energy intervention will require detailed project-level analysis, accompanied by comprehensive research and monitoring of the marine environment,” explained Zoran Poljanec, project manager at Oikon, during the study’s presentation.
This document serves as a valuable foundation for future planning and identification of areas in the Adriatic Sea suitable for renewable energy technologies, paving the way for sustainable growth and a greener future.
More information: Link
The Action plan: Link
