Residents of Tramuntana have once again highlighted a problem that has persisted for years. HEP announces the completion of work on the substation in Dragozetići in September, when the generator is expected to become a permanent solution for stable power supply.
For those living in the northern part of Cres, power outages are a common occurrence rather than an exception, causing significant difficulties. When the power goes out, water pumps stop working, leaving many households without water, and transmitters also lose power, resulting in the loss of mobile and internet connections. The latest such incident occurred in June 2026.
This issue has been brought to attention again by Mateja Ključarić, a resident of Tramuntana, who contacted the Novi list editorial office. She points out that a generator was promised last year to ensure power supply for the northern part of the island in case of failures.
Ključarić describes how the generator initially stood at Porozina for a few days before being taken to Lošinj due to a fault in that area, and it was never returned. It was then promised that the generator would be installed in the village of Dragozetići, and work even began.
"The generator stood at Porozina for a few days, after which it was taken to Lošinj due to a fault in that area and never returned to Porozina. Then we were promised that the generator would be installed in Dragozetići. Work started, and HEP employees publicly boasted that they would provide power to the north of the island in case of failures, but that's where it all stopped. The work was not completed, nor was the generator installed! We still lose power almost every time there's a storm. I wonder how the north of the island can be populated if people aren't provided with normal, necessary living conditions? Of course, no one in their right mind will come somewhere where we're left without power, and consequently without water, every so often. Also, they want to bring young people back to rural areas and repopulate abandoned places. Today, most young people work from home on computers, so how can they work if there's no electricity? When there's no power, even the A1 transmitter, which is connected to the grid, doesn't work," said Mateja Ključarić for Novi list.
She also mentioned that a HEP worker told her the generator would soon be delivered to Dragozetići and would remain there permanently until all work is completed, ensuring a stable power supply.
The issue of power outages in Tramuntana is not new. During 2025, residents of Beli, Ivanje, and surrounding areas repeatedly voiced complaints that frequent outages lasting hours left them without water, damaged household appliances and food in refrigerators, and that such conditions made daily life difficult and deterred people from staying in the north of the island. At one point, the possibility of holding a protest due to the lack of a permanent solution was even considered.
Residents often turned to the City of Cres with their complaints and demands, even though they knew it wasn't their direct responsibility, but they hoped the City would pressure HEP. The City of Cres confirms they are aware of the problem and are in constant communication with HEP.
In a response provided by HEP ODS, DP Elektroprimorje Rijeka, it is stated that in the first half of 2026, only two long unplanned power supply interruptions were recorded in that area. HEP acknowledges that this is an area with an outdated network and overhead lines passing through very difficult-to-access terrain.
Regarding the substation in Dragozetići, they say the first phase of work was completed in March 2026, and the second phase, which includes the installation of control equipment and the possibility of connecting a generator, should be finished by September 2026. They emphasize that the generator will be a temporary solution used when repairs take longer.
HEP ODS, DP Elektroprimorje Rijeka, in their letter, explains the technical details of the power supply for the northern part of the island of Cres:
"The basic 20 kV supply for the northern part of the island of Cres is a combination of underground cable and overhead lines. Specifically, it involves approximately 14.6 km of overhead power lines and 7 km of underground cable lines. Some sections of the overhead lines pass through extremely inaccessible terrain, dictated by the configuration of the area. All 20 kV lines under Elektroprimorje's jurisdiction are constructed and regularly inspected and maintained in accordance with applicable regulations and technical standards. A permanent increase in the reliability and availability of the distribution network is achieved through systematic cabling of the section from Predošćica to the final TS 20/0.4 kV substations, which Elektroprimorje continuously carries out. In cooperation with Hrvatske ceste, as part of the reconstruction of the D100 state road towards Porozina, the laying of an underground 20 kV cable line is planned and being carried out. In the first six months of this year, approximately 2.2 km of cable line was laid and activated in the area of the settlement of Predošćica. In September this year, after the ban on work during the tourist season ends, cabling will continue for approximately 2 km up to the turnoff for the village of Beli," states the letter from HEP to Novi list.
It is further emphasized that as part of the Natura 2000 project, the construction of new concrete substations in Ivanje, Pojane, and Sveti Petar is planned from September 2026, which should increase the reliability of the electricity supply.
