World energy crises, the impending decline of fossil-fuel supplies and uncertainty of nuclear power's future have increased interest in renewable natural-energy sources. But, nevertheless, none of them is expected to take up the role of oil and natural gas in the near future. Global natural-gas supplies should be sufficient for at least 60 years. Croatia produces and utilises the following primary-energy sources: coal, fuel wood, crude oil, natural gas and hydropower. Natural gas will be promoted through the development and liberalisation of the energy market: its unit price and environmental considerations render it suitable for wide use to provide heat. Its greater utilisation (so displacing other fossil fuels) could dramatically improve environmental conditions in Croatia. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.