Croatia saw variable renewable generation fall by 54.3% in the week to 20 September, while net electricity imports increased. Hydropower output rose by 34.28%, offsetting part of the wind and solar decline. The increase in hydropower was not enough to prevent a 4.20% rise in net imports.
During the same period, Croatian electricity demand dropped by 9.76% to 325.54 GWh, the largest percentage decrease among the markets covered. The weekly figures indicate a shift in Croatia’s supply mix during a week when consumers used less power. They do not show how much of the renewable shortfall was met by hydro, domestic thermal generation, or imports on an hourly basis.
Hourly balancing implications for suppliers and hydro operators
The hourly breakdown is commercially relevant when wind and solar output falls. Suppliers must cover delivery commitments under those conditions, while hydro operators have discretion over when to use available generation. Import prices and border capacity can influence both supplier coverage needs and hydro scheduling decisions.
Power price movement alongside operational changes
Croatia’s weekly average power price eased slightly, down by 0.35%. Despite the modest change in price, the operational pattern shifted, with renewable output falling sharply and cross-border purchases rising even as demand contracted.