While the region grapples with the effects of drought on electricity production, Croatia's state power company says hydrological conditions are under control and supply is not at risk.
Croatia's state power company, HEP, announced on Monday, August 3, 2026, that current weather conditions do not pose a threat to the stability of the domestic power system. This message aims to reassure citizens after several neighboring countries experienced serious disruptions in electricity production.
"At this moment, hydrological conditions do not jeopardize the reliability of the production system or the security of electricity supply," HEP stated in its response to Hina regarding the impact of drought and high temperatures on power plant operations.
Prolonged heat waves and lack of rainfall have led to historically low water levels in European rivers. The most drastic example is the Danube, whose extremely low water levels forced Hungary to shut down the Paks nuclear power plant. Meanwhile, in Romania, riverbed blasting is being used to redirect the river's flow to ensure enough water for cooling the Cernavodă nuclear plant.
The effects of the drought are also felt at the Serbia-Romania border, where the Đerdap hydroelectric plant is currently operating at only a fifth of its total capacity. These regional challenges automatically increase demand for electricity on the shared market.
Although the situation in Croatia is significantly different, HEP is aware that problems in neighboring countries cannot go without any impact. "Such circumstances can affect the price and availability of electricity for market procurement, but they currently do not pose a risk to the security of supply in the Republic of Croatia," the company explained.
Regarding the situation on the ground, HEP emphasizes that water levels in their reservoirs are at expected values. "Despite lower water levels, the water levels in the reservoirs are at planned, i.e., average levels for this time of year, which enables optimal management of reservoirs and the production capacities of hydroelectric plants," HEP told Hina.
HEP notes that adjusting production to current hydrological conditions is a standard operational procedure. Production in hydroelectric plants is aligned with water inflows and reservoir status, and any shortfall is compensated from other sources.
"The security and stability of electricity supply are ensured by optimal use of all available domestic production sources and, if necessary, by purchasing electricity on the market. This mode of operation is a regular part of managing the power system, especially during periods of increased consumption, such as heat waves," concludes HEP's response to Hina.
