- by croatiaweek
- January 24, 2026
- in
(Photo: KONČAR)
Croatia has taken a significant step in strengthening its industrial and energy sector with the opening of a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Sesvetski Kraljevec, near Zagreb.
The new plant, operated by KONČAR – Transformatorski kotlovi, will produce transformer tanks for the global energy market, responding to rapidly growing international demand driven by the energy transition.
The factory is the result of a joint venture between Croatian industrial group KONČAR, which holds a 60% stake, and Siemens Energy, with 40%.
The partnership builds on more than three decades of successful cooperation between the two European energy leaders and represents a major milestone for Croatian manufacturing at a time of unprecedented demand for electricity transmission and distribution equipment.
The official opening was attended by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Marko Primorac, Minister of Economy Ante Šušnjar, as well as senior representatives of KONČAR and Siemens Energy.
The joint venture was established in July 2024 as a direct response to the global shortage of transformers, with transformer tanks being a critical component.
The new facility expands production capacity, strengthens supply chain resilience, enables knowledge transfer and innovation, and enhances competitiveness on international markets. It is also expected to create up to 400 new jobs, contributing significantly to the Croatian economy.
(Photo: KONČAR)
Prime Minister Plenković highlighted KONČAR’s role as a flagship of Croatian industry, noting the company’s 6,000 employees and presence in 140 global markets.
He described the new factory as a strong signal encouraging further industrial investment and reaffirming manufacturing as a cornerstone of sustainable economic growth.
(Photo: KONČAR)
KONČAR CEO Gordan Kolak described the project as one of the most important moments in the group’s recent history, coinciding with KONČAR’s 105th anniversary. He emphasised the creation of local value with global reach and the continuation of a partnership based on trust, expertise and shared strategic goals.
Siemens Energy board member Tim Holt underlined the dramatic rise in global transformer demand, stating that the new factory represents a decisive step in addressing supply shortages while supporting the global energy transition through international cooperation.
(Photo: KONČAR)
The ceremony also included a live presentation from KONČAR – Power Transformers (KPT) in Zagreb’s Jankomir district, the partners’ first joint venture founded in 1995. Planned investments under projects KPT1 and KPT2 aim to double KPT’s production capacity by 2031, further reinforcing Croatia’s position on the global energy map.