Keywords:
nuclear energy Croatia, Croatian nuclear law, nuclear programme Croatia, small modular reactors, energy decarbonisation
Introduction
Until now, Croatia has not had a dedicated law that explicitly and comprehensively regulates the use of nuclear energy for civil purposes. While legislation on radiological and nuclear safety has existed for years, there was no legal act that openly acknowledged the possibility of developing a national nuclear programme.
The Final Proposal of the Act on the Application of Nuclear Energy for Civil Purposes changes this. Not because a nuclear power plant will be built tomorrow, but because the state formally recognises nuclear energy as a potential component of its long-term energy strategy.
What the law actually introduces
The Act does not define technical standards, locations or projects. Its role is to establish a framework, on three distinct levels:
– strategic and political – nuclear energy is explicitly recognised as a technology of interest for the Republic of Croatia in the context of energy security, decarbonisation and long-term stability of the power system
– institutional – the establishment of a nuclear programme is conditional upon comprehensive studies, analyses and expert assessments, relying on the existing regulatory framework for radiological and nuclear safety
– temporal – planning is set up to 2040, with the objective that nuclear sources, including the Krško Nuclear Power Plant, contribute at least 30% of the total electricity system load
This is the most concrete numerical target contained in the law.
Small modular reactors: reality or convenient wording?
The law clearly favours small modular reactors (SMRs) and also refers to micro-reactors. The reasons are pragmatic:
– reduced site and infrastructure requirements
– easier integration into the existing power system
– the ability to produce heat, hydrogen and process energy in addition to electricity
At the same time, the law introduces a critical safety filter: only technologies with an existing reference nuclear power plant in operation are considered acceptable. This effectively excludes experimental or purely conceptual reactor designs.
Locations without naming locations
The law addresses site selection but deliberately avoids naming any specific locations. Instead, it defines selection criteria:
– seismic safety
– availability of cooling water
– environmental impact assessment
– stability and configuration of the power system
In practice, the law does not resolve the politically sensitive issue of siting. Rather, it creates a legal basis for conducting such a process in a structured and lawful manner.
Human resources: the real bottleneck
One of the most realistic and least publicly discussed elements of the law concerns human resources.
The Act explicitly recognises the need for:
– changes in educational programmes
– long-term workforce planning
– international cooperation and knowledge transfer
Without systematic education and a sufficient number of qualified professionals, a nuclear programme remains a theoretical option rather than an operational reality.
What the law deliberately does not address
It is equally important to highlight what the law intentionally leaves open:
– it does not decide on the construction of a nuclear power plant
– it does not define a financing model
– it does not address public acceptance
– it does not regulate radioactive waste management in technical detail
These are not omissions, but a consequence of the fact that this is a framework law, not a project-level decision.
Conclusion
This law does not mean that Croatia is entering nuclear energy tomorrow. It does mean that, for the first time, nuclear energy is institutionally recognised as part of a serious discussion on long-term energy security and decarbonisation.
For professionals, it represents an important structural shift.
For the public, it is the beginning of a debate.
For policymakers, it creates an obligation to base future decisions on evidence rather than slogans.