ZAGREB (Croatia), Might 23 (SeeNews) –
Croatia must shift fossil gasoline imports away from Russia, and pace up the deployment of renewables as a part of EU measures to chop total reliance on fossil fuels, the European Fee mentioned on Monday.
“Croatia must speed up decarbonisation efforts, together with within the business, scale back power import dependency from Russia, and take measures to foster integration within the single market,” the Fee mentioned in its country-specific suggestions on Croatia that are a part of the European Semester Spring 2022 Bundle.
Croatia has dedicated to a phase-out of coal for electrical energy manufacturing by 2033.
In 2020, Croatia reached a share of 28% of power from renewable sources in gross closing power consumption, exceeding its goal of 20%. In 2021, imports of Russian fuel accounted for 22% of whole pure fuel provide, whereas 57% was imported by way of the brand new liquefied pure fuel (LNG) terminal, which is working for the reason that starting of 2021, the Fee famous.
Gasoline and oil symbolize 30.3% and 33.7% of the Croatian power combine, respectively.
Croatia has to speed up the deployment of renewables, focusing particularly on wind, photo voltaic and geothermal sources, together with by way of small-scale renewable power manufacturing and growing power communities, primarily by streamlining procedures for administrative authorisation and permits, the Fee mentioned.
Wind and photo voltaic power symbolize round 2.1% of Croatia’s power combine with shares of 13% and 1% of the overall put in electricity-generation capability, respectively.
The Adriatic nation additionally has to additional improve electrical energy transmission and distribution grids and spend money on electrical energy storage, the Fee beneficial, including {that a} stepped-up motion is required to cut back power demand by bettering power effectivity, primarily in residential buildings, and to cut back dependence on fossil fuels within the heating and transport sectors.
Furthermore, in 2023, Croatia has to make sure that the expansion of nationally-financed present expenditure is according to an total impartial coverage stance, making an allowance for continued short-term and focused assist to households and companies most weak to power value hikes and to folks fleeing Ukraine, the Fee mentioned.
For the interval past 2023, Croatia has to pursue a fiscal coverage aimed toward reaching prudent medium-term fiscal positions and to proceed with the implementation of its restoration and resilience plan, the EC mentioned in it its suggestions.
