Croatia’s hydropower sector is set for a significant modernization following the signing of a contract to overhaul generating units at HPP Varaždin. Engineering group Končar has secured the project, valued at €95.2 million excluding VAT, under an agreement with HEP Proizvodnja, the generation subsidiary of the national power utility.
The contract covers the complete reconstruction of two generating units on a turnkey basis. Končar will be responsible for technical documentation, manufacturing and delivery of key equipment, as well as the installation of all associated systems. The execution period is set at 53 months from the start of works, with project completion planned for 2030.
HPP Varaždin has an installed capacity of 94 MW, making it the sixth-largest hydropower plant within HEP’s portfolio of 27 hydro facilities. Commissioned in 1975, it was the first of three plants built on the Drava River, forming a cascade together with HPP Čakovec and HPP Dubrava. Since 1998, all three facilities have been operated from a centralized remote control and monitoring center in Varaždin.
For Končar, the project holds strategic importance, as several companies within the group will participate in its execution. The contract further strengthens Končar’s position in complex energy infrastructure projects, underlining its capability to deliver large-scale modernization works that improve reliability and operational efficiency.
The reconstruction is expected to extend the operational lifetime of HPP Varaždin and enhance its performance, contributing to the long-term stability of Croatia’s power system while supporting the country’s sustainability objectives and energy transition goals.