DANI OIE 2025 conference: Ready to build? Yes

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Croatia has all the prerequisites for a strong development of renewable energy sources – exceptional natural resources, accessible technologies, and ready investments. For years, we’ve been talking about potential, but now is the time to finally turn it into reality. After a long standstill caused by administrative obstacles, legal uncertainty, and slow implementation of reforms, the waiting is over. We are entering a phase of project implementation and construction site openings.

The Dani OIE 2025 Conference will be a platform bringing together all green energy transition stakeholders – to jointly speed up the construction of new power plants and unlock a new investment cycle.

During three insightful days, we will gather representatives from the government, industry, the financial and legal sectors, consultants, academia, and many other experts from Croatia and abroad. You can expect constructive discussions, concrete case studies, and key information for entering the construction phase.

Don’t miss the opportunity to network and establish business collaborations through B2B meetings.

Be part of the change. Be part of the build.
Ready to build? Yes!

DANI OIE 2025 AGENDA

21 May 2025

14:00 – 18:00  Registration of Participants

17:00 – 18:00  Welcome Drink & Snack

18:00  Conference Opening

PRESENTATIONS
Hana Huzjak, Economic Counsellor, European Commission
Christophe Lits, Senior Market Analyst, SolarPower Europe – Global Market Outlook

Panel 1: Renewables and Nuclear Energy – Conflict or Synergy

Renewable energy sources are becoming the cornerstone of decarbonization and energy independence in Europe, while nuclear energy is being repositioned as a stable, low-carbon source that can complement the intermittent production of RES. This panel opens the floor for a discussion on how these two technologies fit into the long-term energy strategy of Croatia and Europe. Are they in conflict, or can they work in synergy? What are the technical, social, and political barriers to their parallel development, and is there room for balance?

PANELLISTS:
Prof. Dr. Nikola Čavlina, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing
Giles Dickson, CEO, WindEurope
Tonči Glavinić, Authorised to Perform the Duties of Director of Directorate for Reconstruction Implementation, Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets
Maria De Melo, Principal, Climate Strategy and Delivery, EBRD

MODERATOR: Maja Pokrovac, Director, OIE Croatia

20:30  Gala Dinner & Networking Party

Exclusive Concert – Jole

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22 May 2025

10:30 – 17:00  including coffee and lunch breaks

PRESENTATION
Dražen Jakšić, Director, EIHP (Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar)

Panel 2: Energy Independence of Croatia – Between Regulation and Practice

This panel opens a discussion on the concrete steps taken so far on the path towards energy self-sufficiency. Through an analysis of the fragmented legislative framework and challenges in public tenders for granting energy approvals, participants will assess the level of alignment of current policies with the green transition goals. The focus will be on identifying specific obstacles but also on opportunities to speed up the process and bring practice in line with ambitions.

PANELLISTS:
Ivan Liakh, Country Director, DRI
Ante Mandić, President of The Management Board, Petrol Croatia
Zvonimir Novak, Director of Business Development, ENNA Group
Andreas Rörig, CEO, E.ON Croatia
Vedran Špehar, State Secretary, Ministry of Economy (tbc)
Maja Turković, Executive Vice President, CWP Europe

MODERATOR: Saša Ćeramilac, Journalist, Al Jazeera

PRESENTATION
Krešimir Šimleša, Head of Grid Connection Department, HOPS (Croatian Transmission System Operator)

Panel 3: Connecting RES to the Grid – Challenges and Solutions for a Faster Integration

This panel will address regulatory and technical obstacles to greater integration of RES into the power grid, focusing on flexible contracts, operational constraints, and safeguard mechanisms. It will also explore opportunities to improve the balancing system, the development of ancillary services and market solutions. Special emphasis will be placed on the need to build new grid infrastructure, including interconnection lines, as well as on optimizing the existing network through the introduction of smart grids and the integration of energy storage systems. Good practice examples from the region will be presented to help identify sustainable and applicable solutions in the Croatian context.

PANELLISTS:
Florentien Benedict, Technical Regulation at Stedin, Dutch DSO
Dejana Popović Milovanović, Project Manager for Grid Connection, EMS
Mladen Šicel, Head of Contracting Department, KOER
Igor Šumonja, Head of Grid Access Service, HOPS
Josip Tošić, PhD, Director, TOSKA
Krešimir Ugarković, Director of Asset Management Sector, HEP-ODS

MODERATOR: Ivo Dubravčić, Country Director, Hive Energy

PRESENTATION
Construction of the Poštak Wind Farm (video)

Panel 4: Building RES Projects – Financial Sustainability and Operational Challenges

This panel will discuss the key financial aspects of project implementation – from signing PPA and cPPA agreements, through market premium systems and guaranteed purchase prices, to credit risks that affect project bankability. Special attention will be given to the challenges related to issuing bank guarantees – with proposals to postpone their activation until the facilities are put into operation, which would significantly reduce the financial burden on investors. In addition to financing, the panel will also address operational challenges during the construction phase – from lengthy and administratively complex permit procedures, through the shortage of competent workforce, to technical challenges in the construction of the facilities, and how all of this impacts the dynamics of project realization.

PANELLISTS:
Francesco Corbo, Regional Head Energy for Western Balkans and Croatia, EBRD
Denis Čamber, Director of Sales And Business Development, Končar
Simone Dell’Atti, Lead Advisor for Equity Growth and Project Finance Structuring, EIB
Ante Krečak, Head of Project Financing, Erste
Dražen Lovrić, Director of Strategy and Development Department, HEP
Iva Naletilić, Project Manager, INERO

MODERATOR: Lejla Barić, Journalist, Financije.hr

PRESENTATIONS
Christophe Lits, Senior Market Analyst, SolarPower Europe – European Market Outlook for Battery Storage 2025-2029
Benjamin Schaible, Head of International Sales, Krannich Solar

Panel 5: Innovations for the Next Generation of Power Plants and Battery Systems

As renewables become the backbone of the energy system, the next generation of solar and wind power plants must be more advanced, efficient, and intelligent. This panel will explore innovations that are transforming the way we design, operate, and optimize power plants – from the integration of battery storage and hybrid solutions to the use of digital tools and artificial intelligence for predictive management, maintenance, and market positioning. The focus will be on enabling greater operational flexibility and smarter use of spatial and grid resources, paving the way for a more resilient, efficient, and future-ready energy infrastructure.

PANELLISTS:
Helena Skrbič Sambolec, Procurator for Adria region, PRANGL
Milan Šteković Šutić, Sales Manager, JA SOLAR
John Šuša, CSO, WHES
Mario Valčić, Director, Siemens Smart Infrastructure
dr.sc. Marko Vukobratović, Director, Versolvio

MODERATOR: Miloš Kostić, Director, MT-KOMEX

19:00 – DRI cocktail reception – cocktails & DJ Indy

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23 May 2025

10:30 – 15:30 including coffee and lunch breaks

Panel 6: Cogeneration Plants – Sustainable Energy Models in Practice

PRESENTATION
Dr. Tim Pettenkofer, German Bioenergy Association (BBE)

Cogeneration plants are a key element of a sustainable and decentralized energy system, especially in the context of grid stability and the use of local resources. This panel will cover current topics such as the role of cogeneration in the circular economy, the connection between energy and agriculture, and new incentive models following the phase-out of the FiT system. Discussion will include the challenges and opportunities in biogas use – including regulations for digestate and the injection of biomethane into the gas network – as well as the potential of biomass and alternative fuels. Geothermal energy development, the current regulatory framework, and the need for additional incentives will also be addressed.

PANELLISTS:
Marijan Cenger, Director, BIOEL
Dinko Đurđević, Director, Green Energy Solutions
Viktor Horvatinović, Director, Pearl Infrastructure
Sandra Zokić, Director of the Directorate for Agricultural Land, Plant Production and Market, Ministry of Agriculture

MODERATOR: Marko Lasić, Director, Crossvolt

PRESENTATION
Bojan Linardić, Director of the Institute for Spatial Development, Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets

Panel 7: The Role of Local Authorities in the Development of RES

The development of renewable energy projects largely depends on spatial planning and regulation at the local and regional levels. This panel will address key challenges in aligning higher- and lower-level spatial plans, the issue of amounts of municipal charges and fees, and inconsistent practice in issuing location and building permits, as well as main design approvals. Proposed amendments to the Spatial Planning Act and the Building Act will also be discussed, with a particular focus on the need for a clearer regulation of energy storage projects.

PANELLISTS:
Arijana Andri, Head, Administrative Department for Physical Planning, Construction, Environmental Protection and Nature Conservation of Bjelovar-Bilogora County
Snježana Đurišić, Acting Director of the Directorate for Spatial Planning, Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets
Vjeka Kniewald, Development Director, Croatian Green Energy
Marina Prusina, Head of the Project Management, EnergoVizija
Stipe Vulić, Mayor, Municipality of Jasenice

MODERATOR: Tihana Posavec Vlašić, Attorney-at-Law, ZOU Posavec Vlašić & Mećar

PRESENTATIONS
Agustín Riopérez, Director, DTBird (video)
George Diakomanolis, Chief Operating Officer, Irida AI Technologies
Chris Wilson, Performance Engineering Manager, BoulderImaging

Panel 8: Developing RES While Preserving Nature and the Environment – Practice, Challenges, and Solutions

The panel will explore the feasibility of the existing protection measures in practice and the discrepancies between legislation, design and implementation. Topics will include automated systems for birdlife protection for wind turbines, the use of ex-post appropriate assessment procedures, and the environmental impact of the revitalization of power plants. Special attention will be given to the concept of “acceleration areas” – zones that could enable faster RES development with reduced administrative burden and preservation of natural values.

PANELLISTS:
Aljoša Duplić, PhD, Director of the Institute for Environmental and Nature Protection, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition
Filip Fržop, Project Development Associate, TEC OI
Dalibor Hatić, Director, OIKON
Mirna Mazija, PhD, Director, Supernatural
Hrvoje Peternel, PhD, Director, Geonatura
Nikola Pletikosa, Project Manager, ENCRO

MODERATOR: Tanja Valek, Director of Contracts and Risk Management, ENERGIJA PROJEKT