RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES 

In the Croatian Energy Act, renewable energy sources are defined as: “energy sources that are preserved in nature and are renewed in whole or in part, especially the energy of water flow and wind, as well as unaccumulated solar energy, biodiesel, biomass, biogas, geothermal energy etc."

The renewable energy sources are:

• ➥ kinetic wind energy (wind energy)
• ➥ solar energy
• ➥ biomass
• ➥ thermal energy of the Earth's interior and hot springs (geothermal energy)
• ➥ potential water flow energy (water power)
• ➥ potential energy of the tide and ebb and sea waves
• ➥ thermal energy of the sea

THE LEGISLATION OF CROATIA & EU

The utilization of renewable energy sources and cogeneration realizes the interests of the Republic of Croatia in the energy sector, as defined in the Energy Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia (Official Gazette No. 130/09), laws and other regulations which regulate the performance of activities in the energy sector, especially regarding:

• • ➥ the long-term reduction of dependence on energy imports,
  • ➥ the efficient use of energy and the reduction of the impact of the use of fossil fuels on the environment,
  • ➥ the creation of new jobs and the development of entrepreneurship in the energy sector,
  • ➥ the encouragement of the development of new technologies and the domestic economy as a whole,
  • ➥ the diversifications of the production of energy and the reliability of supply

The Republic of Croatia, as a member of the European Union, has pledged to accept the European Union climate and energy package, which also includes Directive 2009/28/ EC on the stimulation of the use of renewable energy sources. By adopting the directive, Croatia has assumed an obligation to increase the use of renewable energy sources, with the share of renewable energy sources in gross direct consumption in 2020 being at least 20% observed at EU level.