Representatives of the Ministry of Economy presented the Green Paper, which is a draft of the energy strategy. This strategy will be subject to public discussion for a month, after which it is expected to be adopted in the Parliament on December 10.
The strategy was developed by UNDP and the Ministry of Economy, with participation from Ekonerg, the Faculty of Computer Science from Zagreb, and the Economic Institute. What is specific is that the energy sector is viewed for the first time as a business activity, but also a potential export activity. The entire system needs to be built in such a way that it can fit into the European energy system and the European Union system. The Green Paper promotes the use of renewable energy sources. – Today, we do not only think about where to import energy sources from, but how their consumption will affect the climate, the environment, and economic development – said Yuri Afanasiev, the UN Development Program’s permanent representative in Croatia. What is certain is that Croatia will need more energy in the future.
– By 2020, 20 percent of energy will be produced from renewable sources, and as much as 35 percent of electricity should come from renewable sources. This strategy opens up space for private capital to enter the energy sector – said Minister of Economy Damir Polančec. According to the strategy and current trends, energy consumption is expected to double by 2030 unless energy efficiency measures are introduced. Polančec announced that 10 billion euros will be needed for the implementation of the strategy. (Ante Livajić)
