Croatia initiates project to harness solar energy along highways

Croatia’s highway management enterprise, Hrvatske Autoceste, is implementing a project for solar power plants along its highways. The company plans to use the electricity for self-consumption and for electric vehicle chargers. It would reduce costs and increase its energy independence.

After a tender procedure, Hrvatske Autoceste (HAC) selected ETS Farago to produce project designs for photovoltaic plants at four locations on the A3 highway. It heads east from the capital Zagreb to the border with Serbia.

The job, covering 36 hectares, should be finished by March 2026. Along with the documentation, the selected company is required to submit an assessment of its advantages and disadvantages.

It would be followed by a techno-economic analysis and, if it is favorable, a tender for the installation of solar panels. It is the final step, expected not before 2027.

Slovenia and BiH have initiated similar projects

Of note, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina have initiated similar projects. Roadside locations could be a good solution for solar panels, given that such land is unused and alternatives are limited.

ETS Farago is tasked with preparing three versions for each of the four locations: Zagreb Plitvice (2.5 hectares), Rastovica (3.1 hectares), Sredanci (11 hectares), and Ivanja Reka (18 hectares). The first two are next to rest areas, while the other two are at interchanges.

HAC intends to install 259 electric vehicle chargers

The first model is for the production of electricity for self-consumption, with the surplus fed into the grid. Another option is self-consumption including battery energy storage systems (BESS). The third model is the complete sale of all electricity produced in the PV facilities.

The contract is estimated at EUR 11,400 excluding VAT.

HAC previously said that in addition to supplying its own facilities, such as toll booths, traffic maintenance and control centers, and street lighting, its project called solar highways is key to plans for expanding electric vehicle infrastructure.

The company intends to install 259 chargers on roads within five years.