Croatia's state-owned utility company, Hrvatska Elektroprivreda (HEP), is preparing to construct its first floating solar power plant with an installed capacity of 12 megawatts. The project will be located on the reservoir of the Dubrava hydroelectric power plant and is part of the country's broader push toward integrated hybrid renewable energy systems.
This floating PV system represents a significant step in combining hydropower and solar energy, a trend that is increasingly being adopted across Europe. Floating photovoltaic installations offer efficient land use and are becoming a viable solution for expanding solar energy in Europe, especially in regions where available land is limited.
HEP has already developed a ground-mounted photovoltaic installation with a capacity of 9.9 MW in the same area, underscoring the company's commitment to utility-scale solar power deployment. These installations use advanced solar mounting systems that are designed for both ground-mounted and floating environments, supporting long-term durability and energy efficiency.
Additionally, HEP is currently developing Croatia's first hybrid renewable energy park near the town of Benkovac. This project integrates solar and wind power with battery storage and represents a major advancement in hybrid energy technologies in the Balkans.
By combining water-based and ground-based solar projects, Croatia is tapping into the future of solar innovation, where floating solar systems complement traditional hydropower, reducing transmission losses and maximizing land and water resource utilization. This shift towards hydro-solar hybrid systems reflects a growing trend in renewable energy project design, creating scalable, clean energy solutions for the European market.