While the issue of stable and secure energy supply has been increasingly emerging as one of the key European economic issues in recent years, in Šibenik-Knin County and the City of Šibenik, the development of energy infrastructure is already showing concrete results on the ground.
Construction of the gas distribution network, realized by the company EVN Croatia Plin doo it has become much more than an infrastructure project; it has turned into an important development tool that directly affects industry, investments, the public sector and the quality of life of citizens.
In a region that has been intensively developing business zones, transport connections and industrial capacities in recent years, the availability of natural gas is proving to be a key factor in the new economic phase.
Energy infrastructure as a new axis of development
Prefect Paško Rakić points out that modern energy infrastructure today plays a crucial role in the development of a competitive economy.
– The availability of the gas distribution network enables greater productivity in the economic sector, but also greater purchasing power of households, because the energy source is significantly more profitable and cleaner – he says.
In practice, this means a more stable and financially efficient energy supply for industry, public institutions and households, but also the creation of conditions for the arrival of new investments.
Energy infrastructure today is one of the first parameters that investors analyze when choosing a location for investment, especially in production and energy-intensive activities. This is precisely why gasification significantly increases the attractiveness of the region.
– The interest of investors is significant, and it is desirable to expand the distribution network for connecting to the system, mainly in the economic activities of production, trade and trade – emphasizes the prefect.
Industry among the biggest winners
The biggest benefits from the availability of natural gas currently recorded by industrial plants and public institutions.
In the area of Šibenik, among the biggest users, says Rakić, are Tourist Resort Solaris dd, Impol-TLM doo, as well as a number of public institutions: from kindergartens and health institutions to homes for the elderly. In the area of Knin, KNAUF doo is connected to the system, while in Drniš, Aluflexpack Novi doo is connected
Just these examples show how much energy infrastructure can have direct impact on operations and sustainability of systems that consume large amounts of energy.
However, in addition to financial savings and operational efficiency, energy security and diversification of energy sources play an increasingly important role today, especially in the context of global instabilities.
– Energy security and diversification together represent the pillars of long-term economic planning, because energy security means reliable and continuous energy supply, while diversification reduces dependence on one supplier or region, mitigates price jumps and enables a more flexible response to crises such as the current war in Ukraine and the Middle East – Rakić points out.
He adds that regions that strategically invest in energy resilience create a long-term competitive advantage.
– Without energy security, there is no stable growth, and without diversification, there is no resilience. Regions that strategically invest in both areas better withstand crises, attract more investments and have a long-term competitive advantage – he explains.
Special potential, we learn, can also be seen in the future to the development of the Entrepreneurial Zone Podione of the best entrepreneurial zones in Croatia, which has been recording stable growth for years. The zone further strengthened its strategic importance after the direct connection to the A1 highway, which made it even more attractive to numerous investors.
The mayor points out that the infrastructural introduction of natural gas to the Podi zone could have a significant impact on the further development of the entire region’s economy.
Modernization of the public sector and financial sustainability
In addition to the economy, gas infrastructure also strongly influences the modernization of the public sector.
As the county points out, numerous calculations have shown a significant difference in costs between natural gas and other energy sources, which directly affects the financial sustainability of public systems.
– The price difference between energy sources and natural gas in relation to the existing gas distribution system is significant because all individual calculations have shown it, so it is quite certain that significant financial savings directly affect the sustainability of every system that is connected to the gas distribution system – says Rakić.
At a time when cities and counties are facing rising energy costs, exactly this kind of infrastructure enables longer-term planning and greater stability of public finances.
However, the issue of energy today is no longer exclusively economic, but also a strategic and environmental issue. That is precisely why the development of gas infrastructure is increasingly viewed through the lens green transitions and reduction of emissions in the sectors that consume the largest amounts of energy.
Although Europe is strongly turning to renewable energy sourcesnatural gas continues to play an important role in the transition towards a more environmentally sustainable industryespecially in energy-intensive industries.
His key advantages are, says the prefect, lower CO₂ emissions compared to other fossil fuels, lower emission of harmful particles and cleaner air, high energy efficiency and complementarity with renewable sources.
– In energy-intensive industries such as petrochemical, cement or glass, where high process heat is required, natural gas is often the only feasible alternative for a quick replacement of coal in order to reduce greenhouse gases – he adds.
Šibenik does not want to base development only on tourism
In recent years, Šibenik has been going through a strong development cycle marked by large infrastructure investments, modernization of the city and strengthening of economic activities.
In parallel with the urban transformation, the city is increasingly building a development model that does not rely exclusively on tourism, but also on entrepreneurship, industry and new business infrastructure.
– Although we are a coastal, tourist town, we did not rely exclusively on tourism. The development of Šibenik should not be based on only one sector, but on a combination: economy, tourism and education. The result of such business logic is that today we have one of the strongest economic zones in Croatia, we are recognizable for tourism and openness to new potential for the development of our city – he points out. Željko Burićmayor of Šibenik.
In this development picture, modern energy infrastructure becomes one of the key prerequisites for further growth.
Energy as the basis of future development
At a time when the competitiveness of regions is increasingly measured by the quality of infrastructure and energy stability, Šibenik-Knin County is creating the foundations for a new economic phase through the development of the gas distribution network.
Natural gas is not only an energy source, but a tool for attracting investments, modernization of industry, more sustainable public sector and long-term energy security of the region.
