Illustration
Construction has begun on what will become Croatia’s largest solar power plant, located in the Promina area in the hinterland of Šibenik.
Heavy machinery is currently on site preparing the terrain for the ambitious renewable energy project, which will feature more than 300,000 photovoltaic modules across two large solar fields.
Workers are currently clearing low vegetation and preparing the ground before the installation phase begins.
“We are clearing the terrain and removing low vegetation. After that comes terrain levelling, soil compaction and filling to create a clean plateau where the panels can be installed,” site manager Bruno Bosnić told HRT.
Energy for 90,000 households
The solar power plant will cover an area of approximately three million square metres. Once operational, it is expected to produce enough electricity to supply almost 90,000 households.
The project represents one of the largest renewable energy investments in Croatia in recent years and is valued at around €115 million.
A key component of the project will be the construction of a new transformer station, which developers say will be a major infrastructure addition for the region.
“This will be the first 400 kV transformer station built in this part of Croatia in more than 45 years, since the time of the Mediterranean Games, and the first such facility built in the country in more than 20 years,” said Aljoša Pleić, director of the Croatian branch of the Spanish company behind the project.
Local reaction mixed
While construction is progressing, local residents are still learning about the details of the project. Some have expressed concern and frustration, saying they were not sufficiently consulted.
“No one asked us about it. Now that the decision has already been made, it is only being presented to us,” said a local resident.
Others question whether the community will benefit from the development.
“I don’t think we will see much benefit. Electricity keeps getting more expensive for us, and yet something like this is being built here,” said another resident.
The project is expected to create around ten new jobs and generate annual revenue of about €400,000 for the municipality of Promina.
However, the local mayor says the current compensation framework is outdated.
“The compensation rate was set by the Croatian government in 2013 at one lipa per kilowatt hour produced and has not been changed in 13 years, despite fluctuations in the market,” said Promina mayor Tihomir Budanko.
The project has been in preparation for nearly a decade. The Spanish developer received a 30-year concession to operate the solar power plant on state-owned land.
Trial operations and electricity production at the Promina Solar Power Plant are expected to begin in the summer of 2027.
