The Cres–Lošinj archipelago aims to decarbonize its energy system by 2040. Community-owned solar PV systems will contribute to reaching this goal.
From the beginning of the Clean energy for EU islands initiative in 2017, the City of Cres has been involved in various activities to become selected as an island community leader in the transition to clean energy, which finally happened in 2019. Along with the Island Development Agency, the Cres–Lošinj archipelago prepared its energy transition program. The program set the aim for the archipelago’s complete energy system decarbonization by 2040. Community-owned solar PV systems will contribute to reaching this goal.
The Urban Plan of the City of Cres planned for three locations for the solar PV installations. One of them is the largest solar PV system in Croatia (approximately 8.5 GWh annually) from 2020, when the installation process began. The second one is gathering investors, while the third one is in the process of being constructed by the Apsyrtides Energy Cooperative. Apsyrtides was founded in 2021 by 20 individuals and 9 legal entities, and is unique in Croatia for bringing together two cities, Cres and Mali Lošinj, academia, nonprofits, businesses and citizens. The first task of the Cooperative was to collect the funds for the purchase of land for the construction of the solar PV system. Through their fundraising campaigns, they collected 100,000 EUR and mobilized 23 new members to join the Cooperative.
City of Cres within the Good Energy — SEET project:
Through the Good Energy — SEET project, the City of Cres will install a 20 kW solar PV system on the building of the Girice Kindergarten.
Girice Kindergarten
• Installed capacity: 22.80 kWp
• CO2 reduction: 6.585
Project Manager for the City of Cres:
Marko Ferlora
marko.ferlora@cres.hr
