Zagreb - Lawmakers from the ruling party and some opposition MPs on Friday supported the final amendments to the Energy Efficiency Act, which gradually increase the annual energy savings obligation rates.
Economy Ministry State Secretary Vedran Špehar told the Sabor that with the final amendments to the law, Croatia is aligning with the EU legislation and energy-saving targets for 2030 are being introduced.
Additionally, obligations are being established for data centres to report energy consumption, and amendments are being made to provisions related to energy efficiency in multi-apartment buildings.
Špehar mentioned that the European Parliament and Council Directive of 13 September 2023 on energy efficiency increased the cumulative energy savings target by 44%, and it also requires energy savings to exceed what is prescribed in national regulations.
The reduction in energy consumption is being implemented through measures to boost energy efficiency, and new energy savings can no longer result from the introduction of new technologies for the direct combustion of fossil fuels.
He also pointed out that the amendment to the law propose reducing the energy savings that the energy efficiency obligation system must achieve from the current 70% to 50%, while increasing the share of energy savings that will be achieved through alternative policy measures.
SDP MP: Energy transition must become a strategic priority for the entire society
Mihael Zmajlović (SDP) stated that the energy transition must become a strategic priority for the entire society.
"Energy transition should not be a privilege of large systems and those who can afford investments. It must become a strategic advantage for the entire society," said Zmajlović.
The SDP MP believes that the set goal of cumulative energy savings of 4,313 kilotonnes of oil equivalent by 2030 is ambitious but achievable, provided the implementation is clear and consistent.
Zmajlović also emphasised that the burden of energy efficiency must not be transferred to citizens through higher bills, but should instead bring them savings.
He welcomed the fact that the law, for the first time, explicitly recognises the issue of "energy poverty," but believes that a systematic strategy and implementation are needed to reduce it, as one in five citizens in Croatia struggles with paying energy bills.
Urša Raukar Gamulin (the We Can! party) warned that nothing has been done so far to address energy poverty.
HDZ MP Magdalena Komes stated that due to new burdens on suppliers, there will be no increase in bills for citizens, as Croatia has secured additional funds for alternative policy measures from EU funds and European Structural and Investment Funds.
Komes mentioned that in order for Croatia to meet its obligations and maintain the current level of energy savings commitments in the energy efficiency obligation system, it is proposed to increase the share of energy savings achieved through alternative policy measures from 30% to 50%.
Bridge MP: Green transition is a "green fraud"
In contrast, Bridge MP Zvonimir Troskot believes that the green transition is nothing more than a "green fraud."
Troskot said that the EU is currently being shaken by the "Green Gate" scandal, in which public funds were used to finance NGOs whose goal was to reach European lawmakers and promote even absurd green transition projects. He cited the example of Germany, where, according to him, reckless policies led to the shutdown of nuclear power plants.