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April 6, 2025
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Montenegro’s EPCG to launch public call for 300 MWh of batteries

Montenegro’s state-owned power utility, Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG), intends to invite bids by the end of the year for the installation of battery energy storage systems.

President of EPCG’s Board of Directors Milutin Đukanović has said that the company’s business philosophy is based on three principles – production at the point of consumption, use of hydropower for the integration of solar energy, and energy storage.

Speaking at a conference on regional power companies and their plans for the future, organized by Energija Balkana, Đukanović highlighted batteries as one of the key enablers of the green transition.

“By the end of year, EPCG will announce a public call for the procurement of battery energy storage systems (BESS) with a capacity of 300 MWh,” he said, according to EPCG.

EPCG plans to finish two more large-scale projects by the end of 2026

EPCG also plans to complete two large-scale projects by the end of 2026 – the construction of the Gvozd wind power plant and the installation of the A8 unit in the Perućica hydropower plant, according to him. About a month ago, the company held a groundbreaking ceremony for Gvozd, and in September it secured a loan for a new unit at HPP Perućica.

Energy Minister Saša Mujović recently said that a feasibility study was underway for electricity storage projects. The planned locations are at HPP Perućica, the former Željezara Nikšić steel plant, and the Pljevlja coal mine. These locations have available capacity for grid connections.

In September, EPCG said that it had started preparations to install batteries.

EPCG intends to install lithium-ion batteries

The Board of Directors has adopted a project task proposal and announced the launch of a public call for a feasibility study and project design.

The company plans to secure the flexibility of the power system by developing storage systems based on lithium-ion batteries, EPCG said.

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April 6, 2025
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Applications open for ninth Energy Community Summer School in Kotor

The Energy Community Secretariat is organizing its ninth Energy Community Summer School for young professionals in the energy sector. It will be held from July 19 to 26 in Kotor, at the Faculty of Maritime Studies of the University of Montenegro.

The Energy Community Summer School focuses on energy sectors in transition, particularly in Southeast and Eastern Europe. It offers young people a unique opportunity to explore the technical, economic, political, legal, and other aspects of energy transition.

The goal is to enable participants to understand the energy sector and promote skill development in all energy-related topics. The program includes a combination of courses, guest lectures, social, and cultural activities. Alongside theoretical elements, it provides practical training through case studies and mock cases.

The application deadline is March 31

The application process involves filling out a form that includes a CV and a short paper of up to five pages. In it, each candidate should present and briefly analyze current issues in energy policy related to economic implications, technical aspects of energy production, political implications and energy diplomacy, legal aspects, or sustainability of energy systems.

Postgraduate students (master’s and PhD), researchers from various fields, and professionals from government institutions, energy companies, and NGOs under 35 years of age are eligible to apply. Successful candidates will be selected by the Energy Community Secretariat in consultation with a network of academic and research institutions from participating countries. A total of 40 participants will be chosen.

The Energy Community Summer School is accredited, and participating students  can earn three ECTS credits.

Adrian Jasimi, the organizer of the Summer School, said its success lies in its ability to unite future leaders in the energy sector, encourage diverse perspectives, and inspire lasting connections. “It’s not just about knowledge; it’s about shaping the future of energy together,” he said.

The Energy Community Secretariat covers all costs

The Energy Community Secretariat covers all program-related expenses, including lectures, accommodation, excursions, and most meals. In addition to European Union citizens, participation is free for citizens of Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo*, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Turkey.

Energy Community contracting parties take turns hosting the Summer School each year. Last year it was held in Chișinău, the capital of Moldova.

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* This designation is without prejudice to positions onstatus and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
April 6, 2025
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Montenegro’s DSO CEDIS secures funds for grid digitalization

Montenegrin distribution system operator (DSO) CEDIS has secured funds for the installation of an advanced grid management system and procurement of smart meters.

The EUR 40 million package consists of a EUR 35 million loan provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and a EUR 5 million grant under the European Union’s Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).

The funds are intended for a new supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system and an advanced distribution management system (ADMS), as well as the procurement of new smart meters.

Smart meters help users and utility companies monitor and manage electricity usage more efficiently

The project is expected to reduce technical losses by 10%, decrease grid outages to approximately one sixth of the current level, allow new renewable energy sources to be integrated into the grid and enhance cyber security, according to CEDIS and EBRD.

The SCADA system will be used to monitor and control medium-voltage grid networks in real time. ADMS is an advanced platform that optimizes the management and operation of the electricity distribution system.

Smart meters help users and utility companies monitor and manage electricity usage more efficiently, reducing losses and improving reliability, the update reads.

The loan agreement was signed by the EBRD’s Head of Montenegro Remon Zakaria, CEDIS CEO Vladimir Ivanović, and Ivan Bulatović, CEO of EPCG.

Ivanović: The integration of smart meters will empower consumers to better understand and optimize their energy usage

According to Zakaria, the project represents a transformative step towards the digitalisation of the electricity distribution system in Montenegro.

Citizens will experience a more reliable electricity supply, and CEDIS will achieve substantial reductions in technical losses and gain the advanced capabilities required to swiftly detect and address technical faults, he added.

Vladimir Ivanović said SCADA and ADMS would revolutionize the way the company operates the distribution network. The integration of smart meters will empower consumers to better understand and optimize their energy usage, contributing to greater energy efficiency across the network, he stressed.

Last year Ivanović said CEDIS has reduced grid losses from 12.93% to 10.84% and that it planned to lower them below 10% by the end of December.

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April 6, 2025
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Alcazar Energy, EPCG open talks on PPA for Montenegro’s biggest wind farm

Renewable energy investor Alcazar Energy Partners has signed a memorandum of understanding with Montenegrin state power utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG), initiating negotiations on a power purchase agreement (PPA) for electricity that will be produced by Alcazar’s future 118.8 MW Bijela wind farm.

Alcazar Energy acquired the rights to the Bijela wind farm project in September 2023. A year later, it signed a contract for the construction of infrastructure for connecting the facility to the grid.

A key component of the government’s 2040 National Development Strategy, Bijela will support Montenegro’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Alcazar said in a press release. The largest wind farm in Montenegro will provide clean energy to more than 16,000 households while preventing the release of up to 230,000 tons of CO2 annually, according to the statement.

The wind farm will provide green energy to more than 16,000 homes

The development of Bijela, backed by the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), will support Alcazar’s strategic expansion in the Western Balkans and it target of developing 1GW of renewable energy in the region, according to the statement.

“This partnership is continued evidence of our commitment to developing the largest renewable energy platform in the Western Balkans,” said Daniel Calderon, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Alcazar Energy Partners.

The Bijela project supports Alcazar’s ambition to develop 1 GW of renewables in the Western Balkans

Ivan Bulatović, the executive director of EPCG, described the memorandum of understanding as “a crucial step in strengthening Montenegro’s energy stability.”

“Cooperation with renowned international partners, such as Alcazar Energy Partners, not only enables the modernization of the sector but also accelerates the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources,” he added.

Alcazar Energy Partners is an independent sustainable investment manager with a strong track record in developing utility-scale renewable energy projects in emerging and growth markets since 2014, reads the press release.

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April 6, 2025
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Qair signs grid connection agreement for solar project in Montenegro

Montenegro’s transmission system operator CGES and Qair Montenegro signed a contract for the connection of a 50 MW solar power plant.

An agreement on the construction of infrastructure for the Rudine photovoltaic project was signed by Ivan Asanović, CEO of CGES, and Stefan Klikovac, a representative of Qair Montenegro.

The EUR 40 million Rudine solar power plant will significantly contribute to the increase of the clean energy production and reduce harmful emissions, CGES said.

CGES has so far signed six contracts for the connection of solar and wind projects.

It is expected the project to be online until the end of 2028

Back in September 2024, France-based Qair and Montenegrin state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance the pace of renewable energy project development in Montenegro.

Right after signing a cooperation agreement with Montenegro’s state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG), Qair requested from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine whether an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is necessary for its Rudine facility.

CGES now said the solar power plant is expected to become operational by the end of 2028, when it would be connected to the transmission system. The connection point is the Vilusi substation.

Qair operates power plants with a capacity of 1,000 MW

Qair Montenegro is part of the Qair company, which has production capacities with an installed capacity of 1,000 MW. The French company has a portfolio with a total planned capacity of 34 GW across 20 countries in Europe, Latin America, and Africa, according to CGES.

On the occasion of the MoU signing with EPCG, CEO of Qair Louis Blanchard said the company is pleased to establish a partnership with EPCG, stressing it is a significant event for Qair in the Montenegrin market.

The signing of the contract with CGES was attended by Aleksa Knežević, head of the CGES CEO office, and investor representatives Magdalena Kolanowska, Krzysztof Wajtysiak and Miloš Jovanović.

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April 6, 2025
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Montenegro’s EPCG discussed BESS project with companies from US, China, Japan, region

Elektroprivreda Crne Gore, owned by the Government of Montenegro, has held discussions with several companies and financiers from the region, Europe, and the world about its project for battery energy storage systems.

Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) said in September that it started the preparations to install battery energy storage systems (BESS).

After the Board of Directors of EPCG adopted a project task proposal and initiated a procedure for the preparation of a feasibility study and project design, the first phase of the procurement is already underway, according to the company’s Elektroprivreda magazine. The tender includes battery systems with a capacity of up to 120 MWh per location, it revealed.

A study is under development with elements of a feasibility study, addressing specific technical characteristics, according to Zoran Miljanić, a member of the Board of Directors. He added that the company extensively scanned available market options.

More than 20 meetings were held

In his words, more than 20 meetings were held with various interested parties. They were BESS manufacturers, battery integrators, financiers, co-investors, and institutions offering technical assistance.

Representatives of companies from the United States, France, China, Japan, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro participated in the discussions, he stressed. The meetings helped EPCG understand the issues related to the technical characteristics of batteries on the market, the availability of equipment, and the speed of delivery.

The aim is to choose the optimal solution for the company, Miljanić underlined.

The locations foreseen in the project task are hydropower plant Perućica, EPCG Željezara Nikšić, and thermal power plant Pljevlja. The plan is also to install a 5 MWh battery near the 5 MW Kapino Polje solar power plant, for which a project is under development.

Three locations are being considered

The locations were chosen because of free space for solar panels and the connections to the transmission network, which makes it easier and faster to install the batteries.

Miljanić emphasized that changes are possible after the study is finished but that the said options are primary.

In his words, in the first phase of development of the BESS technology, integrating batteries with photovoltaic plants seemed like a good model to balance their variable production.

However, amid the accelerated development of PCS (Power Conversion System), BMS (Battery Management System), and EMS (Energy Management System) solutions, battery projects are planned as independent and in different sizes – from residential to power distribution to industrial and large systems – connected to the transmission grid and with a capacity measured in the gigawatt-hour range.

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