Background information

In the City of Križevci, construction of the first solar power plant fully owned by citizens began in early 2025. It represents a milestone not only for this city but also for the whole of Croatia. A 200-kilowatt power plant is being installed on the roof of the City Market thanks to the pooled funds of 127 citizens – members of the Green Energy Cooperative (Zelena energetska zadruga – ZEZ) Sunce (Sun). The project is the result of years of effort and a vision of energy independence, and an indicator that ordinary people can achieve sustainable energy projects through collective action.

Content of measure

The Green Energy Cooperative emphasized that the project is not only an investment in renewable energy sources but also in strengthening the community, democratic decision-making, and energy security. The project began in January 2023 with the establishment of the European cooperative ZEZ Sunce. The cooperative had 57 founders, including Slovenian citizens (the signatures of which required a notary certification, which further prolonged the proces). Following the cooperative registration, the first civic power plant in the country was active. The city of Križevci proved to be a suitable location and partner, offering the roof of the City Market on a 25-year lease. As the price of electricity significantly dropped in 2024, interest in cheap and renewable energy sources declined. However, a public call by the Croatian Energy Market Operator (HROTE) ensured the financial sustainability of the project for 12 years.

Use of measure

The citizens' motivation was clear—they wanted to make a concrete contribution to renewable energy and become co-owners of the solar power plant. Many did not have the opportunity to install solar panels on their roofs, but through ZEZ Sunce, they found a way to be part of the energy transition. The participants wanted to show that something like this is possible in Croatia, just like in some other EU countries. The estimated return on their investments is an annual yield of 3 to 3.5%. The local utility company, the owner of the roof, generates additional income. ZEZ Sunce will invest the surplus funds in the Local Community Fund, supporting socially beneficial projects. Until now, the technical prerequisites for sharing the energy produced among members have not been met, but HEP is working on a solution. Members expect that by the end of 2025, energy sharing within the community will be enabled, which will significantly increase interest in such projects in the local community and Croatia.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Applies to all citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
Other social actors (e.g. NGOs) Local / regional government	Other

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement as case not in social partner domain	No involvement as case not in social partner domain
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

Social partners in Croatia fully support a Green Transition but in this case, they were not involved.

Views and reactions

Social partners in Croatia are well aware of the importance of the Green Transition and they fully support any activities related to the preservation of environment.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 19 February 2025: The citizens' initiative for renewable energy (Građanska inicijativa za obnovljivu energiju) (hr.bloombergadria.com)
• 16 April 2025: Open the first solar plan by the citizens' initiative (krizevci.tv)