KONČAR today officially opened its new Laboratory for power systems and drives in Bedekovčina, designed for testing advanced equipment and technologies used in the power engineering sector. The facility is the second laboratory of this kind within KONČAR – Electrical Engineering Institute, a KONČAR Group company whose capabilities, technical expertise and state-of-the-art equipment place it alongside the world's leading testing laboratories. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the KONČAR Group, including Gordan Kolak, President of the Management Board of KONČAR, and Dalibor Filipović-Grčić, Director of KONČAR – Electrical Engineering Institute, as well as Tomislav Ćorić, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Republic of Croatia, and Ante Šušnjar, Minister of Economy. With an investment exceeding €20 million, the new laboratory is one of the few facilities in Europe of this scale and testing capability. It represents a major milestone in strengthening the strategic position and technological competitiveness of Croatian industry on both the European and global energy landscape.

Following the opening of the Laboratory for power systems and drives (LAVESP) in Zagreb in January 2023, KONČAR has further expanded its technological infrastructure through the construction of the new LAVESP 2 facility in Bedekovčina. Featuring 2,700 square metres of testing space, the laboratory is set to become one of Europe's key institutions for type, special, research and development testing of high-voltage equipment. In addition to supporting the needs of Croatia's power sector and strengthening cooperation with the scientific community, the new laboratory will enable the further expansion of partnerships and strategic collaborations with international market players while enhancing the global visibility of both KONČAR and Croatia.

“It is a great pleasure to witness yet another major milestone in KONČAR’s development. An investment of €20 million in the construction of this laboratory does not come close to reflecting its true value for our industry. This is an investment in the future of Croatian industry and in strengthening its resilience. The Government of the Republic of Croatia welcomes every investment that increases productivity, particularly in the areas of advanced technologies, digitalisation and automation, while KONČAR stands as an outstanding example of a company consistently focused on both a clear business vision and manufacturing excellence. We will continue pursuing economic policies that encourage investment and support the growth of high-value-added industries, enabling Croatia to keep pace with the world’s most developed economies,” said Tomislav Ćorić, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Republic of Croatia.

A particular focus of the laboratory will be on technologies and equipment for High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission systems. These technologies are experiencing near-exponential growth this decade as they increasingly emerge as the optimal solution to many challenges associated with modern power systems and the green energy transition. HVDC systems enable the efficient transmission of large amounts of electrical power over long distances and facilitate the interconnection of major power grids. Transmission capacities can reach up to 10 GW, while transmission distances may extend across several thousand kilometres. For long cable systems, especially submarine connections, HVDC technology has become the superior and economically viable solution. It also plays a crucial role in integrating renewable energy sources, particularly offshore wind farms.

“LAVESP 2 is a testament to KONČAR’s strong investment cycle and development momentum, as well as our long-term commitment to technological excellence. This laboratory forms part of our vision to create one of Europe’s most important development and testing hubs for power engineering equipment and demonstrates that world-class technologies, expertise and projects can be developed right here in Croatia,” said Gordan Kolak, President of the Management Board of KONČAR.

KONČAR – Electrical Engineering Institute represents one of the key competitive advantages of both the KONČAR Group and the Croatian power engineering industry. Through its Laboratory center, which comprises nine modern laboratories, nearly 800 accredited testing and calibration methods, and an interdisciplinary team of leading experts and researchers, the Institute has established itself as one of Europe's most respected partners for the testing and development of technologies designed for the energy systems of the future.

“We have opened one of the world's largest and best-equipped laboratories for high-voltage testing, capable of testing equipment for today’s most demanding transmission systems. With testing voltages of up to 4.4 million volts and the ability to test technologies for HVDC power transmission, the laboratory will play an important role in global projects aimed at developing future power infrastructure,” emphasized Dalibor Filipović-Grčić, Director of KONČAR – Electrical Engineering Institute.

The construction of the laboratory represents an investment in the future and in strengthening the strategic position of Croatia’s energy sector. Its purpose is to expand services to international markets while contributing to the global transition towards more efficient, reliable and sustainable energy systems. During the opening ceremony, KONČAR also announced that its development ambitions do not stop here. Preparations are already underway for the construction of LAVESP 3, a new laboratory valued at €26 million, with a scale and testing capabilities comparable to the facility inaugurated today. As a result, Bedekovčina is set to become one of the most important laboratory and testing hubs in this part of Europe, forming the core of a unique laboratory campus that will further strengthen KONČAR’s capacity to deliver the most demanding international projects.