“It is crucial that entrepreneurs understand that the green economy is not just a cost, but also an opportunity for long-term competitiveness”, emphasizes Mario Matković, CEO of MET Croatia Energy Trade.
Source: Večernji list
The energy market in Croatia and the wider region has gone through a period of extreme volatility in recent years, but is now showing signs of stabilisation. It remains, however, strongly influenced by global factors, from geopolitical tensions and climate change to green transition trends and security of supply. In this context, Mario Matković, CEO of MET Croatia Energy Trade, stresses the importance of flexibility, investment in renewable sources and the development of professional staff as the keys to a more resilient and sustainable energy future. “I expect prices to become more predictable, but also that the energy sector will remain influenced by global developments, including the green transition and increased demands for security of supply” Matković said in the opening words of the interview.
How do you assess the current situation on the Croatian and regional energy markets after the previous years of price volatility and what trends do you expect to emerge?
The energy market in Croatia and the region as a whole is somewhat more stable today than at the height of the energy crisis. Risks that can lead to sudden changes in prices, such as extreme weather conditions or geopolitical tensions, will always exist. There are also lesser-known factors, from global demand trends, storage occupancy levels, current exchange rate changes, to trading psychology and expectations of future trends. I expect prices to become more predictable, but also that the energy sector will remain under the influence of global developments, including the green transition and increased demands for security of supply.
How does MET Croatia Energy Trade see its role in the energy transition? Are domestic entrepreneurs ready for a green economy?
Our role in the energy transition is to enable secure, flexible and competitive access to energy sources and to offer solutions that will gradually include renewable sources. We are expanding our offer beyond the gas segment because we believe that the future of energy lies in a combination of gas, electricity and renewables. Entrepreneurs are more aware of this issue today, but there is still room for education and systematic planning. Unfortunately, Croatia lags behind the EU average in the number of solar installations per capita, the speed of issuing permits and the speed of decarbonization, and in addition to investing in the energy network, accelerating the project approval process and stable regulations are crucial. It is essential for entrepreneurs to understand that the green economy is not just a cost, but also an opportunity for long-term competitiveness.
What are the biggest challenges in ensuring a stable and competitive supply of gas and electricity in the current geopolitical context?
The biggest challenges are related to global uncertainty, as the energy market is largely dependent on geopolitical developments. To ensure stability, it is vital to have diversified sources of supply and secure logistical chains. In our case, the long-term lease of capacity at the Krk LNG terminal guarantees flexibility and reliability thanks to the MET Group, headquartered in Switzerland. Underground gas storage allows us to react to short-term disruptions, while the company's financial stability guarantees the competitiveness of the offer even in the most challenging of circumstances.
What strategies do you use to attract and retain top experts and develop talent?
People are our greatest asset, and this is especially evident in the energy sector, which is complex and requires expertise. Being part of MET Group helps us to attract and retain quality staff, because through talent development programs employees have the opportunity to continuously learn and to develop their careers. It is the combination of professional development and a pleasant work culture that makes our company an attractive place to work. Although the challenges associated with Generation Z are often highlighted, I believe that they will play a key role in the era of accelerated development of artificial intelligence. They will be attracted by an interesting and dynamic workplace, with a high level of freedom in their way of working.
MET is a sponsor of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year program. What does supporting this program mean to you and how do you see its role in Croatian entrepreneurship?
It is extremely important to reward the courage, innovation and perseverance of those who create new value. We want to contribute to the development of a positive entrepreneurial climate and encourage new generations to decide to take this path. I believe that the program has significantly contributed to the perception of entrepreneurship in Croatia as a force for development in the past decade, and I am glad that MET Croatia Energy Trade is part of that story.