Croatia – renewable hydrogen demand to hit 26,400 tonnes in 2030 – study.
Croatia’s estimated demand for renewable hydrogen is projected to be 26,400 tonnes in 2030, 97,100 tonnes in 2040, and 243,200 tonnes in 2050, according to the baseline scenario of a study commissioned by the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency.
Producing renewable hydrogen will require an additional 808 MW of wind and solar power capacity by 2030, 2,966 MW by 2040, and 7,430 MW by 2050, according to the study, which was published last month.
The report was prepared by a consortium including local energy institute Ekonerg – Institut Za Energetiku i Zastitu Okolisa, German energy consultancy Ludwig-BolkowSystemtechnik, Hinicio S.A., and Croatian law firm Tilosanec & Partneri.
In line with the EU’s hydrogen policy, Croatia adopted a national hydrogen strategy in 2022, setting out a framework for hydrogen production and use through 2050, with a focus on renewable and low-carbon hydrogen as alternatives to fossil fuels.
The government plans to double the current wind and solar energy capacity from 1,125 MW to about 3,522 MW in 2030. These projects aim at increasing renewable energy output and support green hydrogen production through water electrolysis.
Croatia’s overall goals include expanding renewable hydrogen production through solar and wind energy, as well as from municipal waste. The study’s scenario targets include significant hydrogen production capacities, with the required electrolysis power projected to reach 510 MW by 2030, increasing to 1,873 MW by 2040 and 4,693 MW by 2050. Enhancements to the existing natural gas infrastructure will support hydrogen transport and distribution, while hydrogen use will be promoted across various sectors, including industry, transport, energy, and heating.
Currently, in Croatia, hydrogen is produced and utilised predominantly within the Rijeka Oil Refinery and for ammonia production at mineral fertiliser producer Petrokemija Kutina, the study said.
At the Rijeka Oil Refinery, hydrogen is produced through steam methane reforming of natural gas, with an annual production capacity of 61,200 tonnes. In 2021, Croatia’s total hydrogen consumption was approximately 71,000 tonnes per year, while its production capacity was 141,000 tonnes per year.
In April, Hungarian energy group MOL, which is the largest shareholder in Croatian oil and gas company INA [ZSE:INA], announced plans to build a green hydrogen plant in the Adriatic city of Rijeka.
In May, US green hydrogen company Ohmium International said that it has been selected to supply equipment for the same 10 MW green hydrogen plant at the INA Rijeka Refinery.
READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central
Croatia – renewable hydrogen demand to hit 26,400 tonnes in 2030 – study. source
