Croatia earmarks subsidies for firms for batteries to store green energy

The Government of Croatia has prepared EUR 60 million in subsidies for businesses to install renewable power plants and batteries.

Subsidies for energy storage facilities linked with new production capacities are increasingly becoming a standard in European countries. The latest example comes from Croatia.

Companies from the processing industry and heating sector can apply for subsidies for the construction of photovoltaic plants, biomass- and biogas-fired power plants, energy storage systems (batteries), and for design and construction supervision.

The battery must not exceed 25% of peak daily energy production

The installation of batteries is possible only as an integral part of one of the said three types of power plants, and at the location of the facilities. Battery capacity must not exceed 25% of peak daily energy production.

According to the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, the goal of its public call is for companies to produce energy for self-consumption and, among other things, reduce their dependence on procuring energy in the market and cut energy costs.

Companies can receive between EUR 100,000 and EUR 2 million per project proposal. Eligible entities can submit several projects, and the maximum amount that can be granted to each of them is EUR 4 million.

The ministry plans to soon publish another public call, worth EUR 80 million

The ministry said it expects the investments implemented under the call to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 60,000 tons per year, increase renewable electricity capacity by 80 MW, save 140,000 MWh per year and increase energy storage capacity by 20 MWh.

The ministry plans to publish another public call soon for the allocation of funds for investment in energy efficiency and high-efficiency cogeneration in the processing industry, with a total value of EUR 80 million.

The public calls are funded by the European Union’s Modernization Fund.

Minister Davor Filipović said the first public call marks the launch of a EUR 1 billion investment cycle for Croatian firms, intended for development, competitiveness and green transition.

By encouraging the use of renewable energy sources, Croatia is taking another step towards a climate-neutral economy and achieving the binding EU goals, Filipović said.