In Zagreb, Bavarian premier Markus Söder and Croatia’s prime minister Andrej Plenković pushed to elevate the Krk LNG project to a top-priority European energy initiative, aiming to set first construction or start dates within two to three years.

Croatia plans to start exporting gas to Germany from the Krk LNG terminal within the next two years, as Plenković stated during the Zagreb talks with Söder.

The plan fits broader European efforts to diversify energy routes and strengthen cross-border interconnections, while boosting Krk’s role as an Adriatic energy hub.

A southern corridor is proposed to connect Croatia through Slovenia and Austria to Germany, including Bavaria, with a need for expanded cross-border pipelines and transport arrangements.

Söder emphasized the corridor’s strategic importance for Bavaria and intends to lobby at German and EU levels; leaders also noted potential use of the corridor for hydrogen in addition to natural gas.

Croatia’s LNG capacity on Krk has been raised from 2.9 to 6.1 billion cubic meters per year, with Croatia’s own need at about 2.7 bcm and any surplus available for neighbors.

The Krk facility’s expanded capacity supports not only domestic supply but also export potential beyond Croatia’s needs.

Bayern and Croatia seek to accelerate a gas and hydrogen pipeline from Krk via Slovenia and Austria to Bavaria, pressing EU and planning authorities for faster progress.

Croatia’s LNG terminal is a centerpiece of its energy strategy and the project could deepen economic and people-to-people ties, notably with a sizable Croatian community in Bavaria and Germany’s strong trade and tourism links.

Discussions stress the necessity of physical pipeline links and coordinated transport routes through Slovenia and Austria before gas can reach Germany, with work already completed to enhance LNG capacity and pipeline reach.

Historically, Söder, the former Austrian chancellor Nehammer, and Plenković endorsed Krk as a European energy hub with long-term green hydrogen ambitions dating back to 2022.

The cooperation aims for energy security, diversification, and tapping green hydrogen for Bavaria, with Krk serving as a central hub.