Welcome to SHAREs in Croatia

The RED II and IEMD requirements for energy communities were formally transposed into Croatian law in 2021. However, there are still significant challenges. The procedure of establishing CEC is complex, costly and not fully clear in all segments (i.e. contractual relations are not fully defined and there are no templates). The legislation also allows for a  joint active customers model, but it is still unclear how this will be put into practice. Additionally, the bylaw regulating some relevant segments is not yet fully aligned with the corresponding law. 

Two pilot projects for energy communities in Karlovac and Zabok/VFD Špičkovina, led by REGEA as part of the SHAREs project, have prepared their energy sharing models, and another one is to be developed soon in Samobor. 

In Karlovac, a pilot project is underway to install a solar power plant on a multi-apartment building, allowing the residents to share energy as joint active customers. This energy sharing model, the so-called community of consumers acting collectively (REC), was made possible by law amendments in July 2023 and there is no such example in Croatia yet. Therefore, this project will serve to test the existing legal framework. The finalisation depends on an agreement on contractual relations between all stakeholders, as no templates exist and these need to be developed jointly (as of May 2024).

The Špičkovina Volunteer Fire Department is paving the way to establish  citizens’ energy communities in Croatia, installing a solar power plant with a capacity of 64 kWp on the roof of their headquarters and allowing all interested citizens to become its co-owners. Formal registration is still subject to regulatory approval as required by law (May 2024).

The two pilot energy communities in Croatia serve as models and an inspiration for other cities and communities to adopt a similar approach to sustainable energy development. 

A national gateway has been implemented and already serves as the central hub providing all necessary information and tools to establish an energy community in Croatia. 

https://energetske-zajednice.hr/ 

Practical experience exchange through the SHAREs mentoring scheme: 

• Study tour to Austrian and German energy communities, which empowered Croatian pilot community members to foster and establish their own energy communities, overcoming potential challenges and maximising the benefits for their local context;

• Representatives of key institutions for energy communities from Austria, recognised as a forerunner in this field, visited the Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency (HERA). The study visit enabled an exchange of practical experiences from Austria and Croatia and a fruitful discussion on potential improvements to the Croatian legal and regulatory framework.

SHAREs has ignited a spark in local governments and communities, inspiring them to start their own energy communities. By bringing together various stakeholders in meetings, workshops and events, but also through a large number of publications in the national media about the project’s pilot CEC/REC, SHAREs has helped to pave the way for its pilot energy communities and all future citizen-driven energy initiatives in Croatia. Moreover, in order to accelerate the development of energy communities, a national SHAREs event was organised , with the participation of all key stakeholders, as well as the Austrian representatives who provided practical knowledge and experience. 

The first and only citizens’ energy community in Croatia, My Energy Community, was formally registered in April 2024, with a PV power of only 4kWp and the primary aim of testing real time energy sharing software and hardware. 

Although a legal framework for energy communities has been formally established in Croatia, representatives of local initiatives still face significant obstacles when they want to establish their own energy community projects. The process is currently hindered by administrative and financial barriers. The necessary permits require proof of professional, technical and financial capacity, including the requirement that each community has a full-time staff member. 

Moreover, there are no standardised templates for contracts or guidelines for defining relationships within the community. This lack of clarity and accessibility limits the ability of local communities to launch small-scale projects, which are essential for the growth of the energy community sector. 

The city of Samobor 

The city of Karlovac

The city of Zabok

The North-West Croatia Regional Energy Agency strives for regional sustainable development through energy efficiency measures and integration of renewable energy sources. Besides participating in a wide range of international and national projects, REGEA prepares strategic and planning documents for regional authorities and Croatian cities to assist decision makers in the preparation and implementation of sustainable practices. REGEA has particular expertise in innovative financial models for renewables and energy efficiency projects.
Your contact-person: Slavica Robić

last updated: 06/2025