HEP readies Sukosan solar-plus-storage near Zadar, adding capacity and grid support

HEP’s next renewable build near Zadar is designed not only to add generation, but also to strengthen how the electricity system absorbs it—pairing solar output with battery energy storage and new grid infrastructure.

Sukosan site south of Zadar airport

The Croatian state-owned power utility is preparing a new investment at Sukosan, located a few kilometers south of the city’s airport. The company says the project forms part of its broader strategy to expand its portfolio of clean energy assets.

A location permit has already been secured. HEP is now waiting for the construction permit ahead of the period before summer; if approvals follow the expected path, construction could start by the end of the year.

Scale: solar capacity plus storage and substations

The planned Sukosan solar power plant would cover close to 55 hectares and is expected to reach an installed capacity of around 56.5 MW. Alongside the photovoltaic installation, HEP plans a new 110/33 kV substation, intended to connect and manage output from the facility.

The overall configuration also includes battery storage—linked in project materials as solar power plant combined with battery storage. The battery system is described as having up to 200 MWh of capacity, with power output of 50 MW, which HEP says should improve system flexibility and grid stability.

EBRD funding within a larger renewables package

Financing for Sukosan will be supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). HEP notes that Sukosan is part of a wider investment package that also includes a planned 36 MW Zelovo wind farm.

Taken together, HEP estimates the combined value of these two projects at approximately €110 million.

Zadar region momentum: Korlat commissioning and further projects

HEP has recently expanded its footprint in the Zadar area through commissioning work on the Korlat solar power plant. That facility has a capacity of 99 MW and is part of a larger energy complex, which also includes a 58 MW wind farm—reinforcing Zadar as an increasingly concentrated renewables hub.

Looking ahead, HEP said it expects additional expansion in the same region. In particular, it plans another major solar project—the Crno facility—with an expected capacity of 90 MW scheduled for development in the medium term, supporting continued growth in renewable energy development across Croatia.