Chinese companies have helped deliver Croatia's largest solar power project, adding a renewable-energy dimension to economic cooperation between the two countries.

The Korlat solar power plant, near Benkovac in northern Dalmatia, covers around 1.5 square kilometers and has an installed capacity of 99 megawatts. Around 160,000 photovoltaic panels use a single-axis tracking system, changing position throughout the day to capture more sunlight.

The plant is expected to generate about 165 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to supply 50,000 households. It connects to Croatia's electricity network through infrastructure already serving the neighbouring Korlat wind farm, operational since 2021. Together, the two facilities form a renewable hybrid energy park.

Croatian Electric Power Company, HEP, invested around 70 million euros in the solar project, with financing provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and European Investment Bank.

Construction was carried out by a Chinese consortium comprising Norinco International and Shandong Electric Power Engineering Consulting Institute, working alongside Croatian engineers and technicians.

Simona Maroš, Korlat solar project manager at HEP, said cooperation with the Chinese partner had been successful and could continue.

"We also have more plans for this site – a battery storage system is one of them," she said. "And the partnership with the Chinese partner is so successful that we are more than welcoming them for all other projects."

The project follows another example of Croatian-Chinese infrastructure cooperation: the 2.4-kilometer Pelješac Bridge, completed by China Road and Bridge Corporation. 

Korlat represents a different model, combining Croatian investment and energy planning with Chinese engineering and technological experience. Building the facility required adapting construction to Dalmatia's rocky terrain while complying with European technical, environmental and safety requirements.

Liu Zhen, project manager for Norinco International, said renewable energy is important for Croatia and the European Union.

"Energy independence and energy transformation is very important to the EU and to Croatia," he said. "And we want to use the Chinese investment and to use the Chinese technology and equipment."

For Croatia, Korlat adds solar generation as the country expands renewable capacity. For Chinese companies, it provides a reference project within the European Union.

As Wang Yi reflects on his visit earlier this week to Croatia, projects such as Korlat provide a tangible example of bilateral economic cooperation moving from transport infrastructure into renewable energy, while creating opportunities for Croatian engineers and companies to build local expertise.