HOPS to invest EUR 213 million in transmission grid by 2026

Croatian Transmission System Operator (HOPS) will invest EUR 213 million in power grid revitalization and construction by mid-2026. It intends to connect the north and south of the country and replace underwater cables from six Adriatic islands to the mainland. The project is funded from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

HOPS will invest EUR 213 million in the revitalization, construction, digitalization, and modernization of Croatia’s electricity transmission network, Lider reported.

In July, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Sustainable Development issued a call for grants for the operator under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPOO). HOPS submitted a project proposal within the stipulated deadline and it is now being processed.

The funds from NPOO are set for the improvement of high-voltage 220 kV and 110 kV networks – strengthening the capacity in southern Croatia, connecting the south and north of the country, and replacing the submarine cables connecting six islands with the onshore network.

The ministry said 673 kilometers of transmission lines would be revitalized and constructed. The news outlet wrote the project has 11 parts including an increase in power lines’ transmission capacity, revitalization of transmission lines, and upgrades to new facilities and transformers.

Additional capacities should enable the integration of energy from renewable sources into the transmission power system. The project includes the HOPS data hub and the modernization of the asset management system. The deadline for completion of the investment project is June 30, 2026.