Sign in Subscribe
European Union

Croatia's Geographical Advantage Makes it a Regional Energy Hub, Says PM Plenković

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Croatia, with its strategic location and relatively small investments, has the potential to become a regional energy hub, according to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. Following the European Union's summit meeting in Brussels, focused on reducing dependence on Russia's fossil fuels, Plenković emphasized the importance of investing in crucial energy infrastructure, such as the Krk LNG terminal and the Janaf oil pipelines. This would enable Croatia to supply neighboring countries with a diversified energy supply, leveraging its existing infrastructure and geographical position.

Key Takeaways:

  • Croatia's geographical position and existing infrastructure make it a potential regional energy hub, allowing it to supply neighboring countries with a diversified energy supply.
  • Investing in energy infrastructure, such as the Krk LNG terminal and Janaf oil pipelines, would enable Croatia to provide neighboring countries with a secure and reliable energy source.
  • The current oil pipeline infrastructure has a capacity of 11.4 million tonnes annually, which could be increased to 15.6 million tonnes to meet the energy needs of Hungary and Slovakia.
  • The Krk LNG terminal's capacity has been increased from 2.6 billion cubic meters to 2.9 billion cubic meters and could further increase to 3.5 billion cubic meters, meeting Croatia's annual needs and also providing for neighboring countries.
  • The upgrade of part of the facility could boost the capacity to 6.1 billion cubic meters of gas, satisfying Croatia's annual needs and providing for Slovenia, Hungary, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  • The European Union has agreed on a new set of sanctions, including an immediate ban on seaborne oil imports from Russia, which would apply to two-thirds of all oil imported from Russia.
  • Germany and Poland announced that they would completely give up Russian oil by the end of the year, which would lead to a 90% drop in Russian oil imports.

Statistics:

  • Current capacity of the oil pipeline infrastructure: 11.4 million tonnes annually
  • Increased capacity of the oil pipeline infrastructure: 15.6 million tonnes annually
  • Initial capacity of the Krk LNG terminal: 2.6 billion cubic meters
  • Current capacity of the Krk LNG terminal: 2.9 billion cubic meters
  • Possible capacity of the Krk LNG terminal: 3.5 billion cubic meters
  • Upgraded capacity of the Krk LNG terminal: 6.1 billion cubic meters
  • Two-thirds of Russian oil imported by the EU comes via tanker
  • One-third of Russian oil imported by the EU comes via the Druzhba pipeline
  • European Union's agreed upon ban on seaborne oil imports from Russia: 2/3 of all oil imported from Russia
  • Germany and Poland's plan to give up Russian oil by the end of the year: 90% drop in Russian oil imports

Sources:

  • Hina, "Croatia can become regional energy hub, says PM Plenković"
  • European Union, "EU summit in Brussels agrees on new sanctions"
  • Croatian Government, "Prime Minister Andrej Plenković"

Read more