10.03.2026.
A contract was signed with INA-Industrija nafte d.d. today, allocating 15 million euros for the project "Production of hydrogen from renewable sources - Establishment of hydrogen production and distribution in transport". The agreement was signed by the minister of economy, Ante Šušnjar, and the director of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, Luka Balen with the President of the INA-Industrija nafte d.d. Management Board Zsuzsanna Ortutay, and Member of the Management Board of INA Hrvoje Šimović.This is one of the strategically most important projects under the Annex to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, with a total value exceeding EUR 61 million, which includes the establishment of hydrogen production through a 10 MW electrolyser, and the construction of a solar power plant to provide part of the energy needed for the operation of the plant from renewable sources.
"This is just one of the key strategic projects controlled and monitored by the Fund's Intermediate Body. Out of a total of 3,000 projects co-financed from EU funds, some of them are particularly important for the modernisation of our energy sector. With this project, INA has come on board with the projects implemented by HEP, Plinacro, LNG Croatia, and the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency, which will not only ensure stability, but also implement innovations in the energy sector," said the director of the Fund, Luka Balen.
Minister of economy Ante Šušnjar highlighted the importance of investing in the development of new energy technologies and strengthening the competitiveness of the economy. "With this project, Croatia is opening a new chapter in the hydrogen economy. Investments in hydrogen production mark a significant advancement towards cleaner industry, sustainable mobility and strengthening the competitiveness of the Croatian economy", said Minister Šušnjar.
The implementation of the planned investment will establish hydrogen production and create preconditions for its wider application in transport and industry, with further strengthening of investments in clean technologies and sustainable energy solutions. In this sense, this project is an important incentive for the development of the hydrogen economy, which at the same time contributes to the reduction of GHG emissions in transport and industry, in accordance with the European and national strategic goals of the energy transition.
