The focus of the conference was on legislative frameworks and project financing

Zagreb, May 26, 2025 – Zvonimir Novak, director of business development at ENNA Group, participated in Croatia’s largest national renewable energy conference, Dani OIE (Renewable Energy Days) 2025, held in Split. The three-day event (May 21–23) gathered 400 participants from 19 countries, representing 115 companies and 30 institutions. Key topics included legislative frameworks, project financing, grid integration of renewables, and environmental protection—crucial elements for building a sustainable energy system.

Mr. Novak took part in the panel discussion “Croatia’s Energy Independence – Between Regulations and Practice,” which focused on the legal framework, investment security, and real-world challenges facing the renewable energy sector in Croatia.

Fellow panelists included Ivan Liakh, Director of DRI Croatia; Andreas Rörig, CEO of E.ON Croatia; Ante Mandić, CEO of Petrol Croatia; and Maja Turković, Executive Vice President of CWP Europe. All panelists unanimously agreed that slow and unpredictable administrative procedures are the biggest barrier to investing in the renewable energy sector, with regulatory uncertainty now posing an even greater challenge than project implementation timelines.

As a comparison, Mr. Novak highlighted the rapid development of a nearly 90 MW solar power plant in Romania, recently acquired by ENNA and expected to be operational in Q3 of next year. In contrast, he pointed to the years-long wait for a call to tender for the premium incentive system for geothermal energy investments in Croatia.

He emphasized that ENNA is currently developing two geothermal power plant projects in Croatia—near Slatina and Babina Greda—with the GTE Zagocha project near Slatina being the most advanced of its kind in the country. Novak also noted that geothermal plants are ideal for balancing the electricity system, which is increasingly reliant on variable renewable sources.

Throughout the three-day conference, numerous panel discussions and presentations took place. The overarching conclusion was that Croatia possesses both the resources and expertise to significantly increase its renewable energy output. Moreover, in times of geopolitical and market instability, domestic renewable energy production is not only a matter of energy strategy but also of national security.

For more information about Renewable Energy Days, visit the official website at oie.hr.