Croatia's Okoli Gas Storage at 23% Capacity Amid Winter, Director Confirms No Immediate Risk
As of early 2026, Croatia's only active underground gas storage facility, Okoli, is filled to just 23% of its capacity, significantly lower than the previous year's 34% and below the EU average of 49.85%. Director Vlado Vlašić emphasized that this situation is expected and not a sign of an impending crisis.
The low levels result from market strategies, as gas suppliers filled the storage to 90% in August, anticipating a temporary halt to operations at the LNG terminal on Krk for upgrades. The state maintains a supervisory role, intervening only in extreme market disruptions.
The gas supply model relies on domestic production, LNG imports, and the flexibility of Okoli. Future expansions at the LNG terminal and a new storage facility in Grubišno Polje aim to enhance Croatia's energy position. Vlašić asserts that gas storage will remain strategically important despite the rise of renewable energy sources.
