Led by Marijan Krpan, President of the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency (AZU), a recent Round Table in Croatia focused on sustainability, hydrogen, and decarbonisation technologies. The agency has been transitioning from hydrocarbons to renewable energy sources since 2018, a shift that has become more significant due to geopolitical implications and natural challenges. Croatia has provided a legal framework for the purpose of exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons (providing licences for the activity).
Martina Tuschl, Director of the Geothermal Energy Sector, highlighted the importance of having data available for potential geothermal development areas, reducing initial research risks and costs. The Act on Exploration and Exploitation of Hydrocarbons, passed in 2013, provides a legal framework for geothermal energy regulation, making the process transparent for investors. The Ministry of Economics and Sustainable Development of Croatia recently issued five geothermal exploration licenses for Lescan, Medimurje 5, Pcelic, Sjece, and Kotoriba. Other panels discussed hydrogen as a future gas and new technologies in decarbonisation context.