Croatian Employers Association calls for faster energy transition administration

The Croatian Employers Association (HUP) is calling for a faster and more predictable administrative framework to support the country's energy transition. To meet the goal of increasing the share of renewable energy sources from 28.5% in 2025 to 42.5% by 2030, HUP suggests that regulatory processes must be streamlined to reduce investment risks and costs.

Estimates indicate that €33.8 billion is required for energy and climate measures through 2030, with approximately 32% currently secured through national and EU programs. HUP highlights that while there is significant interest from investors—evidenced by requests for 9.25 GW of solar and wind capacity—administrative bottlenecks such as grid connections, permits, and environmental assessments remain major obstacles.

To accelerate progress, HUP proposes several measures, including: • Abolishing communal fees for facilities that already pay specific energy levies. • Implementing strict deadlines for administrative actions, such as a 30-day limit for checking application completeness. • Standardizing local fees to prevent unpredictable cost increases after investment decisions are made. • Ensuring transparency by publicly publishing the actual duration of procedures and reasons for delays.