Turkey-based Soyak plans to build an 80 MW geothermal power plant in Croatia. It would be the largest in the country.

Croatia has only one geothermal power plant – the 16.5 MW Velika 1 in Ciglena near Bjelovar. However, various investors, from private companies to local authorities, have demonstrated the intention to use geothermal energy.

Now the Ministry of Economy has issued a permit to Terra Energy Generation to use geothermal water at the Legrad 1 location.

Terra Energy Generation is a subsidiary of Soyak, which has a license for geothermal exploration.

The project would be implemented in two phases

Mayor of Legrad Ivan Sabolić said Terra Energy Generation intends to install an 80 MW geothermal power plant. He added that the project would be implemented in two phases.

The company has 60 days to sign a contract with the ministry on the exploitation of geothermal water. The investor has an obligation to start petroleum engineering activities at the site no later than one year from the signing of the contract, the decision reads.

The permit is granted for 25 years from the moment the contract enters into force. The Legrad 1 location, determined by the ministry, spans 20.89 square kilometers.

The start of construction of the geothermal power plant is expected in the spring of 2026, Sabolić said and added that the facility would begin producing energy in early 2028.

Of note, Soyak has registered six more project firms in Croatia: Viola Energy Generation, Tigris Energy Generation, Primo Energy Generation, Vista Energy Generation, Astro Energy Generation, and Star Energy Generation.

According to analyses, Croatia has geothermal potential for power plants with a combined capacity of around 1 GW.

Back in June, Ivo Milatić, State Secretary in the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, said that by 2030 Croatia plans to connect geothermal power plants of 319 MW in total to the grid.