Grid development

Electricity Market Act
Grid connection Regulation
Rules on connection to the distribution grid
Grid Code of the Distribution System
Grid Code of the Transmission System
NECP

The grid operators (both the TSO HOPS and the DSO HEP ODS) are obliged to formulate the grid development plans in accordance with measures and strategies outlined in the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan for the Republic of Croatia for the period 2021-2030.
If the grid has to be further developed, or reinforced, in order to accommodate for a new grid connection, a procedure prescribed by the distribution system operator must be followed, in accordance with the Regulation on issuing the electricity assent and establishing conditions and deadlines for connecting to the grid (OG 7/18) (Grid connection Regulation). This also applies if the grid must be reinforced for connection of a new RES plant.
The procedure is slightly different for simple and for complex connections.
For simple connections, the distribution system operator decides if further development of the grid is required during the preparation of the electricity assent (EES, elektroenergetska suglasnost – a document defining technical and financial terms of a new grid connection), which is prepared according to the Grid connection Regulation and the Rules on connection to the distribution grid. This is initiated by the investor with the submission of the Request for determination of special conditions and connection conditions.
The distribution system operator (HEP ODS d.o.o.) issues the electricity assent along with an Offer for connection, which contains the price of reinforcement of the grid to be paid for by the investor. After the investor pays the price of the grid reinforcement and a new connection, the DSO reinforces the grid and makes the necessary connection, along with signing of the Agreement on Grid Use.
For complex connections, the project developer must request and pay the DSO for a Study of the optimal technical solution of the connection (EOTRP). The investor then must sign a Grid Connection Agreement and submit a Request for determination of special conditions and connection conditions, to which the DSO issues an electricity assent (EES) and also signs the Grid connection Agreement.
In the electricity assent and the Grid Connection Agreement., the DSO decides if further development of the grid is required in order to accommodate for a new connection and offers a price for the reinforcement of the grid and making of the connection.
After the investor pays the price of the grid reinforcement and a new connection and makes a Request for concluding of the Agreement on Grid Use, the DSO reinforces the grid, makes the connection, and concludes the Agreement on Grid Use with the investor.