GEN-I strengthens its presence in Croatia with its first Partner Event
At GEN-I, we successfully held our first Partner Event in Croatia, marking an important step in strengthening our relationships with business partners in this strategically important market. The event confirmed that the Croatian market represents an area of growth, development of new energy solutions, and long-term partnerships for us.
The event was opened by President of the Management Board Maks Helbl, who emphasized the importance of Croatia as a stable, well-regulated, and at the same time dynamic energy market, where GEN-I, together with a strong local team, sees an opportunity to stay one step ahead of the competition through expertise and innovative approaches – in close cooperation with partners.
Next, Jaka Sečen, Head of Market and Portfolio Intelligence, shed light on the current situation in global energy markets. He discussed the impact of geopolitical risks, armed conflicts, and LNG on European electricity prices, emphasizing that while prices have normalized for now, forecasts remain more inclined toward growth than decline due to global conditions. He highlighted battery storage as an important opportunity for price stabilization.
Energy Supply as a Strategic Decision
Davor Matotek, Senior Sales Advisor, emphasized that energy is not merely a cost but also an opportunity. He highlighted the importance of understanding a customer’s energy profile, as this has a key impact on the final price. Various supply models - from fixed and flexible to hybrid and SPOT models - enable the creation of an optimal solution for each partner. He emphasized that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions and that flexibility is a key competitive advantage.
Energy Partnerships in Practice
An important part of the event was the roundtable discussion – Energy Partnerships in Practice - featuring representatives from Kaufland Hrvatska, SANO d.o.o., and Međimurka d.d. Through concrete examples, they presented the path from energy supply to energy independence, the construction of solar power plants, and the return on investment. The common thread running through all the stories was clear: GEN-I as a reliable, responsive, and long-term partner that knows how to listen and offer solutions tailored to the client’s actual needs.
Smart Self-supply as the Key to the Future
Grgur Čepo, Key Account Manager, continued with the topic of smart management, presenting the concept of Smart self-supply – the transition from a passive to an active consumer. He particularly highlighted opportunities where GEN-I also acts as an investor, providing financing and management, and after the investment is recouped, the facility can be transferred to the partner’s ownership. The advantages of battery energy storage systems (BESS) and virtual power plants were also presented, which enable partners to generate additional revenue and achieve greater flexibility.
Security in an Uncertain World
“The purpose of today’s meeting is to shed light on how to transform uncertainty not only into security but into an opportunity, and how to prosper from it,” concluded Andrej Šajn, Deputy Director of GEN-I Croatia, highlighting the importance of long-term thinking in managing energy risks. He emphasized that the combination of thoughtful supply, self-sufficiency, and flexibility enables not only greater security but also the creation of new value. Energy thus becomes a strategic investment, not merely an unavoidable cost.
The first GEN-I Partner Event in Croatia clearly demonstrated that, through a holistic approach, tailored solutions, and strong partnerships, GEN-I is successfully establishing its role as a strategic energy partner in the Croatian market as well.
