Project REHEATEAST has published its third policy brief, titled "Strategic Pathway for the Decarbonisation of District Heating in Croatia by 2050: Challenges, Opportunities and Recommendations."
Croatia is at a pivotal moment for modernising its district heating sector: with its geothermal potential, access to EU funds, and alignment with EU policies, a strategic transformation by 2050 can ensure sustainable, affordable, and low-carbon district heating systems. This brief provides an overview of key challenges, opportunities, and recommended actions for the periods 2025–2030, 2030–2035, and 2035–2050.
Context and current state of the sector
The Croatian district heating sector includes 11 companies operating in 16 cities, serving around 161,000 users through 447 km of network. Investments to date in networks, substations, and digitalisation are already delivering reduced losses, improved security of supply, lower costs, and readiness for low-temperature regimes. EU trends point toward a 50% share of renewable energy sources and waste heat, a significant decline in fossil fuel use, and an accelerated transition to 4th and 5th-generation district heating systems.
Where the opportunities for development lie, what the key challenges are, and what recommendations are proposed, find out in the document below:
