In Croatia, there is currently only one operational P2G facility, producing and utilizing only hydrogen from RES, for academic purposes at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture in Zagreb (FAMENA) [1]. Croatian oil and gas company INA has in 2011 installed a hydrocracking facility as a modernization action in one of their oil refineries, but this cannot be regarded as a P2G, due to the production of “grey” hydrogen from natural gas [2]. However, it is worth mentioning that INA has several plans to include the “green” hydrogen production in its refineries (Rijeka, Sisak) by 2025.

Several other initiatives towards the introduction of novel technologies in this respect have been made in either academic or case studies.

Moreover, Croatia has an initiative related to hydrogen and transport industry – a Croatia Mirai Challenge, that occurs yearly and accompanies FAMENA and Toyota, with national promotion. This initiative has a goal, amongst others, to present the lack of utilization of hydrogen in Croatia. There has also been an increase in workshops, events and roadshows that include hydrogen vehicles in major cities of Croatia.

There is no specific and detailed enough legal framework regarding P2G technologies. One step forward towards a supportive and inclusive legal and regulatory framework is the adopted Croatian 2050 Hydrogen Strategy in March 2022. In Croatian legal framework, hydrogen and P2G are rarely mentioned - mostly in strategic documents, focusing directly on hydrogen or RES production. However, with the implementation of a national hydrogen strategy, there is room for faster uptake of these technologies in Croatia.

In the year 2020, two associations related to the production and utilization of hydrogen have been formed independently. The first one is the Croatian Hydrogen Association, closely related to the P2G facility mentioned earlier, which strives to promote and contribute to making better conditions for the introduction of hydrogen technologies as a key component for the development of clean and environmentally friendly industry and national economy. Currently, they list no active projects and initiatives. Their focus is mostly on scientific projects, although they are participating in several EU projects. The second one is the Croatian Association for The Development and Application of Hydrogen Fuel Cells, which aims to gather both scientists and businesses. Their membership includes several cities and municipalities which have ambitious goals in implementing hydrogen within their areas. By the end of 2021, Croatian Chamber of Commerce set up the Group for Hydrogen under the Sector for industry and sustainable development as a result of the emerging interest of the private sector in technology development, the definition of regulatory framework, and financial and support schemes. This is the only association that combines the capacities of industry, the scientific community, and public institutions.

Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy’s autonomous region of Friuli Venezia Giulia signed a letter of intent for the establishment of a North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley. There are several project proposals under this partnership and what is important to emphasize is that two of which are technology provider for hydrogen production. The creation of the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley will enable the promotion of the potential of hydrogen technologies in order to attract investment and ensure a value chain from hydrogen production to hydrogen use.

P2G in Croatia is mostly focused on projects and initiatives related to hydrogen production and implementation based on the recently adopted national hydrogen strategy. Yet, this opens room for further development in P2G sector, which gathers a significant number of industrial players eager to further increase their market in this field.