The Hrvoje Požar Energy Institute (EIHP) marked the 28th anniversary of EIHP Day on Friday, July 1, 2022, with a formal celebration in La Grma, Zagreb. The event brought together more than 200 representatives of the professional and scientific community - the most important people from the energy world.
After the opening greeting, the director of EIHP Dražen Jakšić gave a short speech in which he referred to the Institute itself, the circumstances in which it operates, the excellent business results it achieves, and the employees without whom these results would not exist.
We are transcribing the director's speech in its entirety:
"Dear business partners, dear colleagues, dear colleagues, welcome!
Institute Day is traditionally celebrated on the first Friday in July, a date close to the anniversary of the birth (July 5, 1916) and death (June 30, 1991) of Academician Hrvoj Požar, after whom the Institute was named. The memory of Academician Požar and the celebration of the Institute's Day are beautiful traditions we adhere to and will preserve.
Today we celebrate the 28th anniversary of the founding of the Institute. The last one we celebrated with business partners and guests was the 25th, three years ago (July 5, 2019). The following two years, covid epidemics prevented us from celebrating this anniversary.
We are witnesses that since that last anniversary in 2019, magnified by many of you present here tonight, very significant events and changes have taken place in our society, from the covid pandemic and earthquakes to the climate changes and tightening of geopolitical relations. These topics are discussed at the professional and political levels, and possible solutions are sought in different forums and formats. We, energy experts, are invited to put our professional knowledge and capacities at the service of citizens, the business sector, the state, and society to overcome the current (energy) crisis as efficiently as possible. Many challenges await us in this transition; therefore, we have clearly defined the vision of EIHP as a generator of changes in the energy sector towards climate neutrality and a low-carbon society.
EIHP contributes to the energy transition through its activities through multidisciplinary research, business consulting, and the provision of professional assistance, as well as the transfer of knowledge. We are a meeting place of science and economy; we support state institutions in shaping energy policy, institutions, and companies in the energy sector to develop projects and business models based on a green and sustainable economy. We also help the public and private sectors and citizens in efficient and sustainable energy production and use.
To fulfill these roles, we invest a lot in developing our competencies. People make EIHP; top experts who, with their knowledge and dedicated work, implement challenging projects and achieve excellent results. This human capital is the greatest strength of the Institute, and their development and professional strengthening are the backbones of our further development. That is why we invest the most in people and their professional development. In 2021, as much as 71% of expenditures were directed to employees, the material rights of workers, education, training, and specialization. According to this parameter, we are among the leading institutions in the Republic of Croatia.
The structure of human resources has changed significantly in recent years. The institute's founders retired, and a generational change occurred at EIHP. We are going through a turbulent period full of challenges and opportunities; today, we are somewhat rejuvenated but strengthened and more dynamic. We employ young and promising professionals but also attract people with impressive work experience and top experts in their field. I believe that better communication of our results, openness to the media, and increased visibility of our work contribute to this.
We have renewed the work of the Institute's Scientific Council, chaired by our Ph.D. Minea Skok encourages scientific production and works on scientific research projects. I must point out that among the 82 currently employed employees of the institute, we have 22 with a doctorate in science.
EIHP is an institution owned by the Republic of Croatia and provides professional assistance to state institutions (ministries, funds, agencies). But our business and sources of income are diversified. We have significantly increased the share of European projects through various programs (Horizon, Interreg, EUKI, LIFE...). In the past year, we withdrew HRK 7.7 million in grants, and this share is constantly growing. We are currently implementing 15 European projects, and this year we have been approved for financing five new EU projects, four of which are LIFE and one Interreg program. Cooperation with the business sector is increasingly intense in Croatia and abroad. I would also like to emphasize the excellent cooperation with American institutions, USAID, the United States Energy Association, and other American commercial companies that have recognized our work and expertise. We are a significant partner for them in the region of Southeast Europe. We generated half of the total revenues in the foreign market.
We are constantly improving the organization, business processes, and quality management system; we have strengthened ethical standards in EIHP and care for professional and professional excellence, protection of workers' dignity, and the fight against all forms of discrimination. The implemented operational and financial restructuring led to an increase in productivity, and after many years of negative business results, we have been operating positively for the last two years. In 2021, we increased revenues by 17% compared to the previous year, and with a profit of HRK 3.3 million, we achieved the best business result since the institute's establishment. We achieved financial stability and ensured the long-term sustainability of our business. The constant increase of our business activities, but first of all our human capacities, educated, professional, and hard-working employees of the institute, are the best guarantor of further successful business, growth, and development.
A constant increase of our business activities, but first of all our human capacities, educated, professional, and hard-working employees of the institute, are the best guarantor of further successful business, growth, and development.“
