State Secretary Vedran Špehar held a meeting on August 28, 2024, with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to the Republic of Croatia, His Excellency Arne Sannes Bjørnstad, with the aim of analyzing and improving bilateral cooperation in the field of energy and economy.

The meeting was focused on strengthening the long-standing cooperation between Croatia and Norway, with particular attention given to projects within the EEA and Norwegian grants, which are crucial for the transition towards a green economy. As part of these programs, Norway has allocated significant funds for projects in Croatia, aimed at reducing social and economic inequalities, as well as strengthening the capacity of local communities to use renewable energy sources.

Norwegian support in energy transition
One of the key focuses of the meeting was the further development of projects dealing with renewable energy sources, particularly hydropower and wind energy, along with the parallel development of energy storage capacities. Norway, with its extensive experience in water resource management and energy efficiency, offers valuable support in implementing these initiatives in Croatia.

The participants agreed on the importance of continuing the implementation of advanced technologies for the production of electricity from renewable sources, including projects on Croatian islands, where the goal is to achieve local energy self-sufficiency.

Further strengthening of cooperation
At the end of the meeting, the State Secretary and the Ambassador confirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation between the two countries, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts to achieve decarbonization and energy security goals. Future plans include the development of new projects in line with European and global standards, with the continuation of a partnership that will contribute to the sustainable development of Croatia.