The Croatian Government is to invest €180 mill in a new gas pipeline section and the doubling of its FSRU terminal capacity located on the island of Krk.
A new €155 mill gas pipeline extension will connect Zlobin and Bosiljevo in northwestern Croatia in around three years, while the FSRU’s capacity will be increased to 6.1 bill cu m of LNG annually from 2.6 bill cu m at present in about 18 months, the Government revealed through the state-owned news agency Hina.
Energy Minister, Davor Filipovic, explained that the Government has made a strategic decision to secure gas supplies but also to position itself as an energy leader in the region.
"It's important to move in this direction so that we can position Croatia as a leader on Europe's new energy map,” he said.
European Union funds will be used to finance the projects, along with injections from the state budget, he also revealed.
Hrvatska LNG’s Krk floating terminal began operations in January, 2021, which gave Croatia greater access to worldwlde suppliers.
Before the FSRU came into service, Croatia had primarily relied on Russian gas and its own production.
As for the coming winter months, Prime Minister, Andrej Plenković, said the Okoli underground natural gas storage facility was being filled according to plan.
"Today (18th August), the facility reached 68% capacity. The pace is picking up and by October we'll be over 90% full, as planned," he said.
