HOPS sold part of the German-Swedish transmission line to Serbia
The Croatian transmission system operator, HOPS, sold a section of the Niemci-Sid high-voltage power line located within Serbia to the Serbian grid operator, EMS, for approximately 125,000 euros. This transaction was disclosed by the Croatian government in response to a parliamentary question regarding the sale and the composition of HOPS management. The power line, constructed in 1976 during the era of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, suffered significant damage from severe storms in July 2023, which destroyed over 35 percent of the Croatian segment and over 40 percent of the Serbian segment. Because property rights for the Serbian portion were not formally transferred after the breakup of Yugoslavia, HOPS lacked the legal authority to repair the infrastructure on Serbian soil. To resolve this, HOPS proposed selling the Serbian section at a fair market value, noting that its book value was zero due to age and depreciation, while the cost of repairs likely exceeded the asset's worth. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assessed that the sale would not jeopardize ongoing border demarcation negotiations between the two countries.
Croatia’s transmission system operator, Hrvatski Operator Prijenosnog Sustava (HOPS), sold a section of the Nijemci-Sjid high-voltage power line located within Serbian territory to Elektromreža Srbije (EMS) for 125,015 euros. According to the Croatian government, this transaction allowed HOPS to secure financial benefits of at least one million euros while enabling the repair and maintenance of the infrastructure. The sale was revealed in a written response from the government to a parliamentary question submitted by Member of Parliament Damir Barbir of the Centre party. The inquiry also concerned the members of the HOPS management board. The disputed infrastructure consists of part of the 110-kilovolt Nijemci-Sjid transmission line. The government stated that the line was constructed in 1976 during the existence of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Following the dissolution of the former state, the entire asset remained recorded in the business books of HOPS. However, after the Homeland War, property and legal rights regarding the segment situated on Serbian soil were never formally settled. Consequently, ownership had not been transferred to the Belgrade-based joint-stock company Elektromreža Srbije, which should have been responsible for its upkeep. Severe weather conditions in July 2023 caused extensive material damage and collapsed sections of the power line on both sides of the border, halting electricity transmission through the corridor. On the Croatian side, the line spans 12,663 meters, with more than 35 percent of its length destroyed or severely damaged. In Serbia, the line covers 12,496 meters, where over 40 percent suffered similar destruction. HOPS initiated repairs for the Croatian portion but lacked the authority to work on the Serbian segment due to the lack of jurisdiction granted by the Republic of Serbia. To ensure proper management, including routine, corrective, and emergency maintenance as well as investment, the property relations needed to be regularized. HOPS completed the restoration of the Croatian section during 2023 and early 2024, incurring costs of 953,870 euros. To restore functionality as quickly as possible, HOPS proposed selling the Serbian portion to EMS on August 31, 2023. Because the accounting value of the asset was zero due to age and depreciation, the offer was based on a fair market value. Bilateral meetings concluded that the proposal was acceptable to both parties for reasons of energy supply security and economic logic. Officials noted that the cost to repair the damaged Serbian section likely exceeded the correct market value of the line itself. Independent appraisals valued the Serbian portion of the line at 129,258 euros and 120,773 euros respectively. The final purchase price was set at 125,015.50 euros, representing the average of these two estimates. The sales contract was signed on November 22, 2023. Prior to the agreement, the HOPS management board informed the Supervisory Board and the General Assembly and sought opinions from relevant ministries. The Ministry of Economy emphasized that only the management board is responsible for business operations. The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs assessed that the sales contract does not pose a risk to future negotiations regarding the final delimitation of the border between Croatia and Serbia. This assessment relied on a clause added to the contract stating that the transaction does not prejudice the boundary between the two states. The sale has permanently resolved the issue of routine maintenance, with each operator assuming responsibility for the section of the line it owns and which lies within its national territory. The Croatian government calculated that HOPS achieved a net financial benefit of at least one million euros. This figure combines the revenue from the sale with the avoidance of estimated repair costs for the Serbian section, which were projected at 900,000 euros. In its response to MP Barbir, the government also addressed questions regarding the leadership of HOPS. It confirmed that new members of the HOPS management board were appointed on August 15, 2026. Among them is Ana Puljiz, who serves as the president of the management board. The transfer of ownership ensures that the power line can return to normal operation, with clear lines of accountability for maintenance duties divided along the international border. The resolution eliminates previous legal ambiguities that prevented cross-border cooperation on the physical infrastructure. Both operators now manage their respective segments independently, ensuring long-term stability for the regional grid connection.
The Croatian transmission system operator (HOPS) sold a section of the Niemci-Sjid high-voltage power line located within Serbia to the Serbian utility Elektromreza Srbije (EMS) for 125,015 euros. According to the Croatian government, this transaction generated financial benefits of at least one million euros for HOPS by transferring responsibility for maintenance and repairs to the new owner. The sale was necessitated by severe storm damage in July 2023 that destroyed over 35% of the line in Croatia and over 40% in Serbia, rendering the infrastructure non-functional. Because property rights for the Serbian segment had not been formally transferred since the breakup of Yugoslavia, HOPS lacked the legal authority to repair the foreign portion. The government stated that the transfer ensures energy supply security and clarifies ownership, noting that the deal does not compromise ongoing border demarcation negotiations.
Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the transaction primarily through the lens of financial gain ('how much they earned') and national efficiency, citing government claims of significant profit. It emphasizes the resolution of a bureaucratic legacy issue and the protection of state assets, which aligns with center-右
The Croatian transmission system operator (HOPS) sold a section of the Niemci-Sid high-voltage power line located within Serbia to the Serbian grid operator (Elektromreža Srbije) for approximately 125,000 euros. This transaction was disclosed by the Croatian government in response to a parliamentary question regarding the sale and the composition of HOPS management. The power line, constructed in 1976 during the era of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, suffered significant damage from severe weather in July 2023, which rendered parts of the infrastructure non-functional. Because property rights for the Serbian segment had not been formally transferred after the dissolution of the former state, HOPS lacked the legal authority to repair the portion within Serbia. The government stated that the sale allows the Serbian entity to assume responsibility for maintenance and repairs, while HOPS has already completed repairs on the Croatian side at a cost of nearly 1 million euros. Officials noted that the transfer does not jeopardize ongoing border demarcation negotiations between the two countries.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a specific administrative and economic decision involving state-owned enterprises and cross-border infrastructure. It relies heavily on official government responses to parliamentary inquiries, presenting the facts neutrally without employing loaded language or taking a clear,
The Croatian transmission system operator, HOPS, sold a section of the Niemci-Sid high-voltage power line located within Serbia to the Serbian grid operator, EMS, for approximately 125,000 euros. This transaction was disclosed by the Croatian government in response to a parliamentary question regarding the sale and the composition of HOPS management. The power line, constructed in 1976 during the era of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, suffered significant damage from severe storms in July 2023, which destroyed over 35 percent of the Croatian segment and over 40 percent of the Serbian segment. Because property rights for the Serbian portion were not formally transferred after the breakup of Yugoslavia, HOPS lacked the legal authority to repair the infrastructure on Serbian soil. To resolve this, HOPS proposed selling the Serbian section at a fair market value, noting that its book value was zero due to age and depreciation, while the cost of repairs likely exceeded the asset's worth. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assessed that the sale would not jeopardize ongoing border demarcation negotiations between the two countries.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a specific administrative and economic decision involving state-owned enterprises and intergovernmental relations. It relies heavily on official government responses to parliamentary inquiries, citing data from the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The语气
The Croatian transmission system operator (HOPS) sold a section of the Niemci-Sid high-voltage power line located within Serbia to the Serbian grid operator (Elektromreža Srbije) for approximately 125,000 euros. This transaction was executed to resolve unresolved property rights dating back to the dissolution of Yugoslavia, which previously prevented HOPS from maintaining the infrastructure due to lack of jurisdiction. The sale enables the Serbian entity to undertake necessary repairs and maintenance, addressing significant damage caused by severe storms in July 2023 that destroyed over 35% of the line on both sides of the border. According to the Croatian government, this move generated financial benefits of at least one million euros for HOPS while ensuring energy supply security. Officials stated that the contract does not pose risks to ongoing bilateral negotiations regarding border demarcation.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a specific administrative and legal resolution regarding state-owned infrastructure, citing official government responses to parliamentary inquiries. It presents the facts neutrally, including the financial figures, historical context, and ministerial assessments, without emot
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