Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar (EIHP) participated again this year at CIGRE Paris Session 2026 – the leading and most important global gathering of experts in the field of power engineering, which connects engineers, researchers, industry representatives and decision-makers in one place and opens a space for knowledge exchange and discussion on the future of power systems. The event was held from 23 to 28 August 2026 in Paris.
EIHP experts had as many as three accepted papers, which is a significant recognition of our commitment to research and development of solutions for the energy future of SE Europe and beyond. The Institute was represented by dr. sc. Goran Majstrović, Ivana Milinković Turalija and Lucija Išlić, together with EIHP Director Dražen Jakšić.
The first paper, "Criteria, Methodology and Selection of Priority Electricity Infrastructure Projects in Southeast Europe," addresses key issues in planning and prioritizing infrastructure projects in the region.
The second paper, prepared in cooperation with GIZBiH, titled "Western Balkan Action Plan for Power Grids: Advancing Grid Modernization and Integration through Coordinated Regional Planning and EU Funding Support", analyses how coordinated regional planning and EU funding can accelerate the grid modernization and integration across the Western Balkans.
The third paper, prepared by Minea Skok and Tomislav Baričević in cooperation with EPHZHB, is entitled "The Regulatory and Economic Conditions for Self-consumption Development in BiH".
This year's edition was a record in many respects. About 5,500 international experts (92 from Croatia) are registered, while the actual number is significantly higher because some did not permit public publication of their data. The total number of registered participants so far exceeds 12,000, surpassing the record 11,000 set in 2024. Conference participants came from 96 countries worldwide, and as many as 330 CIGRE working groups are currently active. Experts from the Republic of Croatia are participating in numerous groups. This year's conference also set a record for the number of papers accepted: 1,614 (13 from Croatia), surpassing the previous record of approximately 1,200. To illustrate, almost 3,000 papers did not pass the peer review process this year. Technical Exhibition 2026 also set new standards: the number of exhibitors exceeded 300 (KONČAR and Transformer Magazine were from Croatia, along with other Croatian participants registered as part of foreign companies), and the total exhibition space reached an unprecedented 17,300 m² across three floors.
All of the above confirm that the electricity sector is in a historically important period, that its role in society is greater than ever, and that there is interest among the professional community in exchanging knowledge, experiences, and ideas.
