Question for written answer

Subject: Quota problem for small power plants in Croatia

Projects in Croatia involving small (10 kW to 30 kW) solar power plants are currently stalled and cannot be implemented, because of the impasse at HROTE d.o.o. (Hrvatski operator tržišta energijom), the Croatian energy market operator, which lies directly within the province of the Ministry for Economic Affairs and the Government. From the beginning of 2013 until 15 December 2013 applications were duly submitted to HROTE, and the projects concerned obtained prior approval for electric power purposes and a connection agreement from HEP, the Croatian electricity company. Each application submitted to HROTE in 2013 was given its own serial number, enabling HROTE to send notices of rejection to all of the 2013 applicants, who were asked to reapply for a quota for 2014; this was done in such a way that those applications all had to be sent by post only and only on 1 January 2014, the sole criterion being the time of posting. By that procedure HROTE has done away with all the 2013 serial numbers: this amounts to downright favouritism towards some parties as well as to a breach of the Public Procurement Act! In 2014 a quota will be granted only for small integrated power plants of 5 MW and above.

No European country apart from Croatia applies quotas or quota restrictions to small solar power plants from 10 kW to 30 kW. Quotas exist only for large wind farms, biomass power plants, and so on.

How does the Commission view the fact that the quota for small power plants in Croatia is being limited in the manner described above? Does Croatia have any specific obligations regarding this matter?