In a country with a 1000 islands, on the sunniest island of Hvar, with 2790 hours of sunshine per year, the Renewable Energy Sources of Croatia and the Island Movement organized the conference „Sunny Days“. The aim of the conference was to draw attention to greater exploitation of natural potential and capacity in the green transition with higher inclusion of citizens and local government units.
Sunceco Croatia was one of the sponsors and partners in the event. The company director participated in the discussion on solar technologies. This was also an opportunity to present the company’s solar PV projects, with a production capacity of 30 MW per year, and development projects related to energy storage and e-mobility. It was announced that, with this project, Croatia will be on the EU map of the countries producing battery cells for large automotive industries.
It was estimated that installment of solar capacity on rooftops alone would meet 25% of current electricity needs. And half of all rooftops in the country have the potential for solar. Legislative framework is a key and indispensable factor in creating clear and unambiguous conditions under which renewable energy projects could be implemented. This will give developers, investors, and citizens insight and certainty about the visible and reliable administrative, operational and financial course of projects.
More than 10,000 cities have committed to reducing CO2 emissions and joined the European Covenant of Mayors. We are also seeing this trend throughout Croatia, and in the last few years on the islands. An example is the combined SECAPI – action plans for adaptation to climate plans for the islands of Brac and Korcula.
The use of renewable energy sources and the inclusion of citizens in the energy transition is in the focus of the EU initiatives and legislation. The European Union has set an ambitious target of making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. Achieving these targets requires a higher share of renewable energy and higher energy efficiency. In addition to reduced costs, solar energy is also the fastest job creator. More than half a million direct and indirect jobs are expected in the EU by 2024.
