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Croatia (North-West Croatia / REGEA)
REGEA’s Hydrogen Readiness Implementation Plan

REGEA leads the deployment of hydrogen-readiness measures in North-West Croatia, focusing on skilled workforce, municipal coordination, and rigorous monitoring of pilot projects.​

Overview

Croatia is reinforcing its position within the European hydrogen landscape through the H2CE – Empowering H₂-ready Regions in Central Europe project. The initiative is nationally coordinated by the North-West Croatia Regional Energy and Climate Agency (REGEA), in partnership with the City of Zagreb.

The City of Zagreb, together with REGEA, actively promotes hydrogen-related initiatives, including education and training programmes, the exchange of best practices, and collaboration with other hydrogen projects across Croatia. Furthermore, they are jointly contributing to the development of an interregional strategy for hydrogen-ready regions.

Croatia is fully aligned with the European Union’s hydrogen directives and objectives under the European Green Deal, REPowerEU, and Fit for 55 package. The country has adopted the National Hydrogen Strategy 2021–2050, which defines hydrogen as a key enabler of its transition toward climate neutrality. The strategy outlines a roadmap for developing production capacities, infrastructure, and demand-side integration, positioning Croatia as a regional hub for green hydrogen production in Southeast Europe.

 

Croatia’s hydrogen vision is rooted in leveraging its renewable energy potential—particularly solar, wind, and hydropower—while modernizing its gas infrastructure to be H₂-ready. Through national and EU-funded programs, Croatia aims to integrate hydrogen into transportation, industry, and power generation.

 

Implementation and Key Activities

Croatia’s hydrogen readiness is being advanced through coordinated national, regional, and research initiatives structured around five main pillars:

  • Infrastructure and system readiness
    The existing gas network is being gradually adapted for hydrogen blending and, in the long term, for pure hydrogen transmission. Hydrogen corridors and potential storage sites are now integrated into spatial and energy development planning, consistent with EU H₂-readiness indicators defined under the H2CE project.

  • Renewable hydrogen production
    Pilot projects using electrolyzers powered by renewable electricity are being implemented with support from the EU Innovation Fund and Horizon Europe. These projects aim to create local hydrogen valleys and demonstrate the full value chain from renewable production to end use.

  • Mobility and industrial transition
    The transport sector is entering a gradual transformation. Croatian cities are currently deploying electric buses as the first step toward zero-emission public transport. Building on this experience, hydrogen-powered buses will be introduced as pilot and demonstration vehicles in selected cities to test hydrogen refuelling technologies and operational performance.
    In parallel, the industrial sector is preparing for the substitution of fossil fuels with renewable hydrogen, especially in refineries, the chemical industry, and metal processing.

  • Research and innovation
    The Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar (EIHP) and Croatian universities lead research in hydrogen technologies, integration, and certification systems. The 2024 Study on the Development and Implementation of Croatia’s Hydrogen Strategy by 2050 provides technical, economic, and policy recommendations for scaling up production and enhancing regulatory readiness.

  • Governance and funding
    The National Hydrogen Council, established by the Government of Croatia, coordinates cross-sectoral implementation. Funding mechanisms from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Cohesion Funds, and private investments ensure a solid foundation for long-term hydrogen development.

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Results and policy impact

The National Hydrogen Strategy has already strengthened Croatia’s energy and climate policy framework, embedding hydrogen in national and regional development plans. Pilot actions for hydrogen production and mobility are under preparation, supported by growing research and industrial partnerships. By applying hydrogen-readiness indicators in planning and permitting, Croatia ensures that infrastructure development aligns with EU best practices. These efforts reinforce Croatia’s contribution to the European Hydrogen Backbone and the shared EU ambition for a carbon-neutral continent by 2050.

 

Transferability and lessons learned

Croatia’s experience highlights the importance of integrated governance and phased technological deployment. Key lessons include:

  • Combining immediate zero-emission solutions such as electric mobility with gradual hydrogen adoption.

  • Aligning regional planning with national strategies and EU readiness indicators.

  • Building strong partnerships between government, academia, and industry.

  • Using pilot projects to test technologies and build public confidence before full-scale rollout.

  • Build local competence centres to serve as focal points for hydrogen information.

  • Link regional agencies, city administrations, and universities early in the process.

  • Integrate hydrogen objectives into local SECAPs for policy coherence.

  • Use open workshops and transparent communication instead of complex reporting tools.

​

  • Results and policy impact

  • The National Hydrogen Strategy has already strengthened Croatia’s energy and climate policy framework, embedding hydrogen in national and regional development plans. Pilot actions for hydrogen production and mobility are under preparation, supported by growing research and industrial partnerships.

  • By applying hydrogen-readiness indicators in planning and permitting, Croatia ensures that infrastructure development aligns with EU best practices. These efforts reinforce Croatia’s contribution to the European Hydrogen Backbone and the shared EU ambition for a carbon-neutral continent by 2050.

  • Transferability and lessons learned

  • Croatia’s experience highlights the importance of integrated governance and phased technological deployment. Key lessons include:

  • Combining immediate zero-emission solutions such as electric mobility with gradual hydrogen adoption.

  • Aligning regional planning with national strategies and EU readiness indicators.

  • Building strong partnerships between government, academia, and industry.

  • Using pilot projects to test technologies and build public confidence before full-scale rollout.

  • Build local competence centres to serve as focal points for hydrogen information.

  • Link regional agencies, city administrations, and universities early in the process.

  • Integrate hydrogen objectives into local SECAPs for policy coherence.

  • Use open workshops and transparent communication instead of complex reporting tools.

 

More Information

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