Hrvatske Autoceste (HAC), Croatia’s national highway operator, is advancing a major solar initiative along its motorways to reduce energy costs, increase independence, and support electric vehicle infrastructure. The project targets four sites along the A3 highway, which runs east from Zagreb to the Serbian border, covering a total of 36 hectares.

Following a tender process, HAC selected ETS Farago to design photovoltaic plants at Zagreb Plitvice (2.5 hectares), Rastovica (3.1 hectares), Sredanci (11 hectares), and Ivanja Reka (18 hectares). The first two sites are adjacent to rest areas, while the larger locations sit at highway interchanges. The design phase, including a comprehensive assessment of advantages and disadvantages, is scheduled for completion by March 2026. A subsequent techno-economic analysis will determine whether installation proceeds, expected no earlier than 2027.

ETS Farago will prepare three models for each site: electricity for self-consumption with surplus fed to the grid; self-consumption combined with battery energy storage systems (BESS); and full electricity sale. The contract is valued at approximately €11,400 excluding VAT.

The solar infrastructure will supply HAC’s own facilities, including toll booths, traffic control and maintenance centres, and street lighting. It is also central to the company’s plan to install 259 electric vehicle chargers along Croatian highways within five years, expanding EV accessibility and supporting the transition to low-emission transport.

The project mirrors similar initiatives in Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, demonstrating the potential of roadside land for solar energy generation. By combining renewable electricity production with EV infrastructure, HAC aims to enhance energy security, reduce operational costs, and accelerate the adoption of electric mobility across the country.

Read the full article for insights into how Croatia is turning highways into sustainable energy corridors.