Croatia building first grid-connected battery storage near Šibenik

Šibenik

Croatia’s first battery energy storage facility connected to the national transmission grid is taking shape near Šibenik, marking a significant step in modernising the country’s energy infrastructure.

The €60 million investment, co-financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, represents a key milestone in Croatia’s transition towards a more resilient and sustainable energy system.

The initial phase includes the installation of a 10 MW battery storage unit, now undergoing trial operations and verification testing.

“The facility consists of specialised containers housing battery cells and management systems, all connected to the grid via transformers,” Željko Šmitran, director of the investing company, told HRT.

Battery storage systems allow electricity to be stored when production exceeds demand and released when consumption peaks.

This capability is particularly important for integrating renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, which are dependent on weather conditions and can cause fluctuations in supply.

According to Croatia’s Ministry of Economy, the project enhances energy supply security, price stability, and national energy independence.

It also supports the growth of a new industry focused on smart energy solutions, potentially positioning Croatia as a leader in battery systems and digital energy technologies in Southeast Europe.

The project is funded through the Modernisation Fund, aimed at supporting decarbonisation efforts.

Aleksandar Halavanja from the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund highlighted the environmental benefits:

“This project supports greater use of renewable energy sources, gradually reducing reliance on conventional fuels and lowering CO₂ emissions.”

Šibenik was selected due to its existing grid infrastructure, a legacy of the former aluminium factory which had high energy demands.

“We’re using part of the unused capacity, saving both time and costs by relying on existing infrastructure,” added Šmitran.

Delivery of the remaining equipment is expected by the end of the year, with full operational capacity planned for the first quarter of next year.