The national transmission system operator is HOPS (Hrvatski operator prijenosnog sustava), while the national distribution system operator is HEP DSO. The connection to the grid must be approved by the distribution system operator (HEP ODS d.o.o.). There are two types of procedure for grid connection, depending on the type and size of the plant. In case of curtailment, plant producting electricity prom RES and connected to grid receive a priority access to the grid.
Connection to the grid
The connection to the grid must be approved by the distribution system operator (HEP ODS d.o.o.). There are two types of procedure for grid connection, depending on the type and size of the plant: the simple connection and the complex connection. Either way, the owner of the RES-E plant has to contact HEP ODS to start the procedure. The simple and complex connection differ in the type of grid which the user is connecting to (low-voltage, medium-voltage, etc.), the necessary works to facilitate the connection, and the type of the user.
Use of the grid
In the event of having to limit the delivery of electricity into the grid, the DSO or TSO must enable eligible producers (povlašteni proizvođači) of electricity from renewable energy sources priority access to the grid, if this does not affect the security of the system. In order to attain the status of a eligible producer, one must satisfy the criteria stipulated in Article 20 of the RES Act, such as: the installation must use renewable energy sources and/or waste and renewable energy sources or simultaneously produce electricity and heat energy in high efficiency manner; the installation must be registered in the Register of Renewable Energy Sources, Cogeneration, and Eligible Producers (OIEKPP Register); the installation must have a connection to the network and installed measurement equipment so that the calculation of net delivered electricity is enabled, etc. According to Article 21 of the RES Act, the decision on obtaining the eligible producer status is made by the Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency (HERA).
Grid development
The transmission system operator (HOPS) and the distribution system operator (HEP ODS) are also obliged to prepare ten-year, three-year, and one year investment plans for the development of the transmission and the distribution grid, which have to be approved by the Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency (HERA, Hrvatska energetska regulatorna agencija). Grid development plans must be formulated 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 (NECP).
Competent authorities
Croatian Transmission System Operator (HOPS) Croatian Distribution System Operator (HEP ODS) Hrvatska energetska regulatorna agencija (HERA) Hrvatski operator tržišta električne energije (HROTE)
Number of DSOs
Number of DSOs: 1 Number of legally unbundled DSOs: 1 Source: 2020 DSO facts and figures Eurelectric; Distribution System Operator Observatory 2020
Smart Meter Penetration Rate
14.3% Source: 2020 DSO facts and figures Eurelectric
Active electricity suppliers
Total number of active electricity nationwide suppliers: 12 Switching rates for electricity household customers in 2018: 2.5% Source: Monitoring Report on the Performance of European Retail Markets in 2018. CEER Report