That it is possible to return energy to citizens is demonstrated by the concept of citizen energy, where citizens take energy production into their own hands. Montenegrin journalists who visited Zagreb at the invitation of the EU Delegation to Montenegro and the Europe House had the opportunity to find out how this concept was conceived and how it works. Croatia’s experiences in that field can certainly help Montenegro in the future. Solar energy is currently the simplest way of producing energy and has proven to be ideal for the development of citizen energy. Montenegro, like Croatia, has a large number of sunny days per year, and therefore a huge potential for the installation of solar panels, which has a positive impact on the environment. In this regard, the Croatian town of Krizevac is the most advanced local community in the region.
On 30 September 2023, 8,779 solar power plants in households and 7,097 solar power plants in businesses were connected to the distribution network of Croatian Electric Power Company.
There are less than 10 energy cooperatives in Croatia, but none of them offer the possibility of energy production for their members.
The projects were fully financed by citizens according to the model of micro loans.
According to the 2022 IPSOS survey commissioned by a party of the European Parliament in Croatia, 91% of respondents know nothing or know little about the process of obtaining permits for the installation of a solar power plant, while 82% of respondents are not familiar with the possibilities offered by energy communities.
