May 26, 2025 – The largest Croatian conference on renewable energy, Dani OIE, was held in Split from May 21 to 23. Organized by the Renewable Energy Sources of Croatia (RES Croatia), the conference gathered over 400 participants from 19 countries, including representatives from government, industry, finance, law, consulting, science, and other expert fields. The focus was on accelerating the energy transition and encouraging new investments in green energy production.
A key part of the conference was the panel “Development of Renewable Energy in Harmony with Nature and the Environment – Practice, Challenges, and Solutions”, featuring Oikon’s Director Dalibor Hatić, who brought extensive experience in nature and environmental protection in renewable energy development projects.
The panel addressed critical issues regarding the practical application of environmental protection measures and the mismatch between legislation, project design, and implementation. The importance of new sensitivity maps was highlighted, as they speed up processes and help identify areas suitable for RES development. However, limitations in continental Croatia were also pointed out. Proposals included additional development and infrastructure maps, as well as simpler planning procedures.
It was emphasized that maps should serve as a foundation, but not as a substitute for field research. The panel drew attention to outdated data in current databases and the need to update information on species and habitats.
Practical examples were shared where ecological measures clashed with other regulations, requiring solutions to be adapted in cooperation with competent authorities. The panel concluded that accurate data, flexible approaches, and cross-sectoral collaboration are key to sustainable RES development.
The final message of the conference was clear: the energy transition must align with local development, nature protection, and practical, field-based solutions.
More on the conference: https://oie.hr/dani-oie-2025/
