One of the lessons during this pandemic is certainly the need for Croatia to rely on domestic resources and reduce its dependence on imports and this includes the production of renewable energy, which is growing steadily and vigorously. That’s what underlined by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK).
The coronavirus pandemic, on the one hand, has shown how the planet will look like with reduced pollution and on the other hand, it has shed light on all the systems’ vulnerabilities and the need to change our behaviour.
“Most EU Member States support the initiative to put the European Green Deal at the heart of a post-pandemic economic recovery because the world can only make economic, environmental and social progress if we clearly and firmly commit to clean and renewable energy,” said Ivo Covic, President of the HGK Renewable Energy Community. “We need to strategically make sure that we are developing the resources we have, thus enhancing the competitiveness of the economy.”
Such declaration coincided with the World Renewable Energy Day, commemorating the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe and the necessity to continue the research in the renewable energy field.
The Croatian legislation is awaiting significant changes this year in the field of the energy industry. In addition to the European Green Deal, which already brings major changes and the implementation of new technological and systematic solutions throughout the European Union, a law on amendments to the Energy Efficiency Act is expected in the country by the end of the year, which will further strengthen the efforts to reduce dependence on energy imports. A Law on the electricity market is planned for the end of this year as well and the government is also planning to submit to the parliament a new Law on renewable energy sources and high efficiency cogeneration.
“In view of the new Energy Development Strategy and the goals of the European Green Deal, Croatia has a great challenge to achieve the set goals by the end of 2030, therefore the adoption of regulations and laws is very important,” added HGK Energy and Environmental Sector Director Marija Šćulac Domac, noting that by increasing the use of renewable energy sources, not only Croatia is contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the environment, but also helping the local economy and job creation in this sector. “Now it is an opportunity to prepare the local economy, but also the citizens, to be involved as much as possible in the preparation and construction of new projects.”
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the number of jobs in the renewable energy sector will increase to 42 million over the next 30 years.
