Zagreb, April 4, 2025 – A conference on the potential for offshore wind power generation in the Adriatic Sea, organized by the Croatian Employers’ Association (HUP) and INA, was held in Zagreb. The event emphasized the strategic importance of offshore wind farms as a key pillar of the European energy transition and a significant contributor to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The European union has set ambitious targets for the development of blue energy – renewable energy sourced from the sea – aiming to expand offshore wind capacity to 60 GW by 2030 and 300 GW by 2050. While the development of offshore wind farms in Croatia is still in its early stages, a noteworthy step forward is INA’s initiative to launch the first wind potential measurement project in the Croatian part of the Adriatic.
The primary aim of the conference was to bring together key stakeholders to facilitate an open dialogue on opportunities and challenges surrounding the deployment of offshore wind projects in the Republic of Croatia. On behalf of INA, participants were welcomed by Mr. Hrvoje Šimović, Member of the Management Board.
“Employers recognize the green transition as both an opportunity and a responsibility. Offshore wind energy is not just about power generation – it represents a catalyst for domestic industrial growth, shipbuilding, advanced technologies, R&D, and job creation. This demands swift yet strategic action, guided by close coordination between industry, government bodies, local authorities, and international partners. Today’s conference is proof that we are heading in the right direction,” stated Irena Weber, director of the Croatian Employers’ Association.
“As a leading company in the energy sector, INA is fully aware of global shifts and the imperative to diversify energy sources. The Adria Wind project is a convergence of our extensive experience in the oil and gas industry and our commitment to advancing innovative renewable energy technologies. The project has demonstrated substantial potential, and under a favorable regulatory framework, it could evolve into an attractive investment opportunity and a critical step toward a sustainable energy future,” said Hrvoje Glavaš, director of Industrial Services at INA.
In 2022, INA commenced wind potential measurements on its gas platforms in the northern Adriatic and, with support from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), launched feasibility studies for a 300 MW offshore wind farm between Pula and Ravenna. Preliminary studies suggest the potential for nearly 2.7 GW of installed capacity. The studies are continuing in 2025, forming the basis for future investment decisions. At the same time, the Istria County and the Istrian Regional Energy Agency (IRENA) are preparing strategic guidelines for the development of offshore wind farms in the northern Adriatic.
INA already has experience in renewable electricity generation, having constructed two solar power plants in Molve and Sisak with a combined annual production capacity of up to 16,000 MWh. In late March, the company began drilling its first geothermal well near Đurđevac. Projects are also underway for the construction of green hydrogen production facilities at the Rijeka Oil Refinery and a biomethane plant in Sisak, alongside plans to install additional solar capacities.
The Adria Wind project is a technically complex endeavor. The conference underscored the need for broad cooperation between industry players, state institutions, and investors to facilitate the accelerated development of offshore renewable energy projects. Representatives of the Ministry of Economy confirmed ongoing efforts to establish a regulatory framework for offshore wind development, which is a key prerequisite for further growth and investment attraction.
O INA Grupi
INA Grupa ima vodeću ulogu u naftnom poslovanju u Hrvatskoj te važnu ulogu u regiji u istraživanju i proizvodnji nafte i plina, preradi nafte te distribuciji nafte i naftnih derivata. Tvrtku čini više ovisnih društava u potpunom ili djelomičnom vlasništvu INA, d.d. Sjedište Grupe nalazi se u Zagrebu, Hrvatska. U području istraživanja i proizvodnje nafte i plina INA danas posluje u Hrvatskoj i Egiptu. Prerada nafte odvija se u Rafineriji nafte Rijeka, dok se na industrijskoj lokaciji u Sisku razvijaju održive alternativne djelatnosti. Regionalna maloprodajna mreža sastoji se od više od 500 maloprodajnih mjesta u Hrvatskoj i susjednim zemljama. INA Grupa članica je MOL Grupe.
PR
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Telefon: 01 6450 552| @: pr@ina.hr