Končar opens €20 million high-voltage testing laboratory in Croatia
- by croatiaweek
- in Business
(Photo: KONČAR)
BEDEKOVČINA, Croatia – Croatian engineering company KONČAR has officially opened its new Laboratory for Large Electrical Machines and Drives (LAVESP 2) in Bedekovčina, marking a major investment in advanced energy technology and testing infrastructure.
The new facility, built at a cost of more than €20 million, is part of KONČAR – Institute of Electrical Engineering and is among the few laboratories of its size and capability in Europe.
The opening ceremony was attended by KONČAR Management Board President Gordan Kolak, Director of KONČAR – Institute of Electrical Engineering Dalibor Filipović-Grčić, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Tomislav Ćorić, and Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar.
The laboratory expands on KONČAR’s first LAVESP facility in Zagreb, which opened in 2023. Covering 2,700 square metres, the new centre will carry out type, special, research and development testing of high-voltage electrical equipment.
A key focus will be testing technologies for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems, which are becoming increasingly important for long-distance electricity transmission, connecting major power grids and integrating renewable energy sources, particularly offshore wind farms.
(Photo: KONČAR)
The laboratory is equipped to conduct tests at voltages of up to 4.4 million volts, enabling it to evaluate equipment designed for some of the world’s most demanding electricity transmission systems.
According to KONČAR, the new facility will support Croatia’s electricity sector while strengthening cooperation with universities, research institutions and international partners. It is also expected to increase the company’s presence in global markets and further raise Croatia’s profile in advanced energy technologies.
KONČAR says its Institute of Electrical Engineering now operates nine modern laboratories, with nearly 800 accredited testing and calibration methods, making it one of Europe’s leading centres for testing and developing electrical equipment.
(Photo: KONČAR)
The company also confirmed that expansion plans are already underway. Preparations have begun for LAVESP 3, a third laboratory in Bedekovčina worth €26 million, with similar capacity and testing capabilities to the newly opened facility.
(Photo: KONČAR)
Once completed, the laboratories will form a specialised testing campus, further strengthening Bedekovčina’s position as one of the leading centres for high-voltage testing and energy technology development in this part of Europe.
