Croatia aims to cover 30% of its annual electricity demand with by 2040

The Croatian government has presented its new Law on the Development of Nuclear Energy for Civil Purposes, which aims to establish the legal framework for the development of nuclear energy within the country (Croatian government press release, 17/02/2026). According to the law, the country aims to strengthen its energy security, increase competitiveness and long-term sustainability of its power system and economy through a new nuclear goal: to increase the share of nuclear within the country’s annual electricity demand to at least 30% by 2040. According to the Croatian Minister of Economy, the move confirms the country’s engagement to “energy security, climate responsibility and technological progress.”

According to the new law, Croatia should develop a Programme of Activities within six months to establish the foundation for all necessary studies and analyses before developing a comprehensive plan for the development of nuclear energy within a year. The final location for a new nuclear power plant will be decided by a special law after all required professional and regulatory procedures have been implemented. 

The government also announced additional technical support to the energy system of Ukraine by providing concrete and operational assistance in the reconstruction and stabilisation of the country’s energy infrastructure. 

At the end of 2024, Croatia had a total installed capacity of 5.4 GW, of which 40% comes from hydro, 21% from wind, 12% from gas, 10% from oil, 9% from solar and about 4-3% from coal and biomass. The country announced its interest in nuclear in February 2025 (Enerdata’s Energy & Climate Policy Framework).