Every crisis first hits the energy sector, then spills over into all others. How to ensure affordable and continuous energy, what is the energy picture of Croatia, and what are energy prices are just some of the questions that numerous participants of Lider’s conference on the Energy Future of Croatia, held in the Crystal Hall of the Westin Hotel in Zagreb, will answer today.
Miodrag Šajatović, editor-in-chief of Lider, in his opening speech reflected on what the situation in energy used to be compared to today.
– As a young journalist in 1983 at Večernji list, I was tasked with covering the energy sector. It was a good time because there were energy shortages, and my articles were on the front page. But it was a boring time for energy. When we look at today’s situation with prices, regulators, and environmental changes, that image of energy has dramatically changed. The opportunities, dangers, and possibilities in energy today are confirmed by the large turnout at our conference today. We will follow today’s discussions and presentations with interest – said Šajatović.
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That energy is absolutely not boring today was confirmed by Ivo Milatić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economy, adding that we must change the paradigm in planning the energy system. Milatić emphasized the importance of building infrastructure.
– We do not need to first assess what consumption will be in Croatia and then build capacities accordingly. I am glad that HERA and HOPS have understood the fact that we have been saying for four years, which is that the 400 kV electricity grid needs to be built by the state – said Milatić.
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He also added that they are obliged to submit a revised National Energy Plan by the end of June, which, according to Milatić, will be ‘much more ambitious than the energy strategy itself’.
– By 2030, we will have 10.5 gigawatts of installed capacity in Croatia, of which four gigawatts will be solar, about two wind, 318 megawatts will be geothermal power plants, while hydropower plants and others will remain at the levels currently present. From 2021 until now, we have issued more than five gigawatts of energy approvals, of which more than 2.3 gigawatts in the last two months – said Milatić.
Boris Miljavac, CEO of Siemens Energy, emphasized that this conference is an unmissable event for all stakeholders in energy, but also a gathering that actively shapes the future.
– At Siemens Energy, we do not wait for the future, we create it. Every project and initiative is a step towards a more sustainable world. Even one-sixth of the world’s energy is produced using technologies developed by Siemens Energy. Each of us has an important role in climate change, and your active participation is key to change. I want to invite you not only to listen but also to act. We are on the brink of a change that requires our engagement, which can change our world. Let us be the leaders of change – emphasized Miljavac.
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