The area of Kraljević and Šmrika has officially switched to natural gas supply as of 30 September, meaning the entire distribution area of the company Energo has been converted to natural gas. Energo is thus completely removing mixed gas from its production and distribution.
The project was presented at the new odorisation station in Šmrika, attended by representatives of local government and the energy sector. Among those present were the mayor of Kraljević, Dalibor Čandrlić, the deputy mayor of Rijeka, the director of Energo, Marko Križanec, Darko Pavlović, advisor to the President of the Board of Plinacro, and Tajana Jukić Neznanović, director of the Regional Energy Agency.
103 customers in the area of Kraljević and Šmrika were previously supplied with mixed gas, and their supply will continue via the existing distribution network, which is 15.5 kilometres long. Existing customers do not need to make major changes to their gas installations, with the exception of minor adjustments to settings made by an authorised technician. The price of gas will be aligned with that of other Energo customers according to the HERA tariff, and approximately 400 properties are located near the network with the potential for quick connection.
Total investment in connecting Kraljević to the national grid exceeds €1.05 million. Plinacro invested €807,000 in the development of connection infrastructure, while Energo invested €250,000 in the renovation and construction of the odorisation station. The previous blocking station in Bobuši has been converted into a measurement and reduction station and connected to the Omišalj–Zribin gas pipeline, directly linking Kraljević to the Croatian transmission system and the LNG terminal on the island of Krk.
The mayor of Kraljević, Dalibor Čandrlić, highlighted that this is a long-term project, while the deputy mayor of Rijeka emphasised the importance of continuous investment in infrastructure. The director of Energo, Marko Križanec, stated that the switch to natural gas for customers in Kraljević means integration into the Croatian natural gas market. A capacity of 4,000 stands has been secured on the new infrastructure.
The project is the result of cooperation between the City of Kraljević, the City of Rijeka, Energo, Plinacro, the Primorsko-Goranska County, the Ministry of Economy, the Regional Energy Agency, and other partners.
