Gas Experts: Croatia in a Better Position than Most EU Countries

The President of the Management Board of the Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency (Hera), Danijel Žamboki, stated on Wednesday at a meeting of gas experts that Croatia, even in the worst projections regarding gas supply, is in an incomparably better position than most countries in the European Union.

– Despite the adverse development of global events, it is important that Croatia, even in the worst projections of possible events, is in an incomparably better position than most EU countries. This is contributed by the diversification of supply gas routes, the LNG terminal, and domestic gas production, which is also increasing – said Žamboki at the beginning of the 37th International Scientific and Professional Meeting of Gas Experts, held from May 11 to 13 in Opatija, organized by the Croatian Professional Association for Gas (HSUP) and the Gas Center of Croatia.

Reminding that the Government adopted a package of measures to mitigate energy prices in March, Žamboki emphasized that the fundamental task of the regulator is to care for energy entities and protect consumers, and that it will persist in this.

The State Secretary in the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, Ivo Milatić, assessed that Croatia is among the leading countries when it comes to protecting households regarding gas prices.

He also pointed out that infrastructure is developing and that the LNG terminal was built when many did not believe in that project. – The terminal gives us security that few have – that we will have 800 million cubic meters of gas next year entering our gas system from production and a secure 1.5 billion cubic meters from the LNG terminal – he said, emphasizing that the Ministry will support further increasing the capacity of the LNG terminal to 6.1 billion cubic meters and that this can be achieved in three years or sooner.

He also highlighted that the Ministry supported all investments in gas infrastructure, that a lot has been done to connect the gas pipeline from Albania to Dugopolje, to connect Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia, but that there was no understanding and support from neighbors, EU members. They now want us to increase the capacities of the LNG terminal, which we will do, said Milatić.

The Director of the Okoli Underground Gas Storage, Vlado Vlašić, reminded that storage capacities are booked for the next five years and that there is currently no business interest from users for filling the storage, but he believes that the storage will retain its role and that, thanks to the involvement of the Government, it will ensure supply stability.

Vlašić emphasized that they are working on expanding capacities and that work will soon begin in Grubišno Polje, which will enable the company to provide additional services in the gas business.

The Director of LNG Croatia, Hrvoje Krhen, stated that 2.4 billion cubic meters of natural gas have been delivered from the LNG terminal in Omišalj so far, 28 LNG tankers have docked at the terminal, and about four million cubic meters of liquefied natural gas have been accepted.

The LNG terminal has the largest single market entry, supplies about 55 percent of the market, and the regasification capacity has been expanded by an additional 300 million cubic meters of natural gas. Capacities are fully booked until 2027, and possibilities for further capacity expansion are being considered.

A member of the Management Board of Plinacro, Marin Zovko, announced projects to increase gas dispatch capacity from the LNG terminal, increase pipeline capacity for Hungary and Slovenia, and the Adriatic gas pipeline project is being considered, as well as connections with neighboring countries, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Director of Oil and Gas Exploration and Production at INA, Nikola Mišetić, stated that domestic gas production meets about 30 percent of gas needs in Croatia. INA will invest more than one billion kuna in exploration and production this year and is also committed to green projects.

Ahead of the conference, several members of the Green Action protested in the hall, whistling and carrying banners with the message ‘The gas business is a crime!’, stating that fossil fuels are no longer a solution as they destroy the climate, but that renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures are the solution, while the need for gas should be minimized as much as possible.