Full Breakdown
Croatia Approves Radioactive Waste Facility Amidst Bosnian Protests
12/16/2025, 4:03:23 AM
Legislative Approval and Project Details
On December 15, 2025, Croatia's parliament, the Sabor, approved the establishment of a radioactive waste disposal facility at Cerkezovac on Trgovska Gora, located less than one kilometer from the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. This decision comes despite ongoing protests from Bosnian officials and residents who argue that the facility poses significant health risks to approximately 250,000 people living in the Una River basin. The facility is intended to temporarily store low and intermediate-level radioactive waste from the Krško Nuclear Power Plant, which Croatia co-owns with Slovenia, as well as waste generated from Croatian hospitals and industries.
The legislation provides a regulatory framework for the construction of the facility, which is planned to operate for 40 years before permanent disposal. Croatian authorities are required to conduct an environmental impact assessment before construction can commence. The site, previously used as a military barracks, has been earmarked for radioactive waste storage in Croatian spatial plans since 1999.
Concerns from Bosnia and Local Communities
Bosnian officials, including Miroslav Drljaca, the municipal head of Novi Grad, have expressed grave concerns regarding the facility's proximity to vital water sources and population centers. Drljaca has indicated that the municipality is considering legal action against Croatia, asserting that the project violates international environmental obligations, including the Espoo Convention, which mandates consultation with affected neighboring countries.
Local communities in Bosnia have warned that the legislation could allow Croatia to circumvent these obligations, raising fears about potential contamination of the Una River, which is a crucial water source and part of Bosnia's largest national park. Environmental groups from both Croatia and Bosnia have also protested the plans, citing risks associated with the site's location in a seismically active region.
Official Responses and Justifications
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has defended the decision, asserting that the facility is safe and represents the only viable option for waste disposal. He emphasized that exposure to radiation from the facility would be negligible, comparing it to the radiation experienced during a transatlantic flight. Croatian authorities have also highlighted the existing infrastructure at the 60-hectare site, which is situated in an uninhabited area five kilometers from the nearest town.
Despite these assurances, residents of Novi Grad have reported a perceived increase in health issues, which they attribute to the facility's operations. However, Croatian officials have dismissed these claims as anecdotal.
Future Implications
Croatia is expected to begin receiving radioactive waste from Slovenia by early 2028, while currently managing small amounts of institutional radioactive waste at various locations. The recent legislative actions also included a new energy efficiency law aimed at reducing public sector energy consumption and renovating public lighting by 2035.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Croatian authorities maintain that the facility will not pose a health risk, Bosnian officials and local communities continue to voice their concerns, highlighting a significant divide in perspectives regarding the safety and environmental impact of the project. The ongoing protests and potential legal actions from Bosnia underscore the contentious nature of this decision and its implications for regional relations.
Verbatim Quotes
“If someone stood 365 days, 24 hours in front of the wall of that facility, they would not receive any radiation.” — Andrej Plenkovic, Prime Minister of Croatia
