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April 6, 2025
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Montenegro adopts new energy law

Montenegro has adopted a new law on energy, which will allow citizens to become active participants in the electricity market and establish energy communities. The new law will also accelerate digitalization and the development of smart grids and flexibility services.

The Law on Energy represents a modern, European framework for a sustainable energy future, according to the Ministry of Energy.

The law brings a series of systemic innovations, including strengthening the position of consumers through greater transparency and protection of their rights.

Citizens are getting the opportunity to become active participants in the electricity market by producing, storing, and selling energy, the ministry said.

The law introduces citizens’ energy communities

The document also defines the concept of energy poverty and ways to reduce it, in line with European priorities of social justice.

The law supports the digitalization of the electricity system and the development of smart grids and flexibility services, enabling more efficient use of the electricity infrastructure, the ministry noted.

It introduces the energy community of citizens to strengthen local energy resilience. The law also creates conditions for dynamic electricity tariffs, as well as tools for comparing offers and consumption management.

Admir Šahmanović, Minister of Mining, Oil and Gas, said that the adoption of the law is not just the fulfillment of international obligations.

Šahmanović: We are introducing a new vision for Montenegro’s development as a modern, energy-efficient, and competitive country

“This is a law that introduces European standards into our legislation, creates conditions for new investments, safeguards citizens, and encourages innovation, digitization, and sustainability, but also guarantees the security of supply and a fair energy transition for everyone,” Šahmanović stressed.

In his words, the law introduces a new vision for the development of Montenegro as a modern, energy-efficient, and competitive country.

Of note, Šahmanović is also the coordinator of the Ministry of Energy. Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Milojko Spajić nominated him for the position of Minister of Mining and Energy.

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April 6, 2025
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Montenegro’s EPCG to install 200 MW of solar power plants

Power utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore plans to install solar power plants with a total capacity of 200 MW over the next three years, CEO Ivan Bulatović announced.

State-owned power company Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) intends to start production at the Gvozd wind farm by the end of the year and connect photovoltaic plants with a total capacity of 200 MW to the grid over the next three years.

With small rooftop solar systems of an overall 70 MW already online, Montenegro is a leader in the region in the development of the prosumer concept, Bulatović claimed and added that by the end of the year the capacity would reach 100 MW.

He also pointed to the importance of the Kruševo hydropower project, which is being developed in cooperation with French partners. In December last year, EPCG signed a contract for project design. The company’s partner in the endeavor is EDF.

Montenegro’s grid is relatively well developed thanks to the investments made in former Yugoslavia

Bulatović underlined that the problem of insufficient development of the transmission system is not a case only in Montenegro, but in the entire region and Europe. Simply, the grid wasn’t prepared for the sudden introduction of renewable energy, according to him.

The utility’s chief recalled that investors in Montenegro have the opportunity in the country’s legal framework to build a grid connection themselves.

The Montenegrin network, as he emphasized, is relatively well developed thanks to investments from former Yugoslavia, Bulatović noted.

Everything is ready for the installation of the second line of the submarine electricity interconnection to Italy

Turning to the undersea interconnection with Italy, he said the second cable is expected to be laid as the required infrastructure has been built on both sides. The first link has 600 MW.

Another cable to Italy and the planned new interconnections are creating transmission capacities enabling Montenegro and the entire region a better connection with the European electricity market, according to Bulatović.

The construction of the Trans-Balkan Corridor is underway and interconnectors with Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina are in the pipeline, he stressed at the Trebinje Energy Summit.

The development of the transmission system will continue in line with the needs of investors and for electricity production, Bulatović asserted.

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April 4, 2025
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Eurowind Energy signs virtual PPA in Romania with automotive manufacturer

Denmark-based Eurowind Energy signed a 12-year virtual power purchase agreement (PPA) with Autoliv in Romania, for the supply of electricity from the Pecineaga wind park. The automotive manufacturer headquartered in Stockholm also signed one such deal for a solar park in Finland.

The strongest wind turbines in Romania will generate electricity for Autoliv, which makes safety systems for vehicles including airbags and seatbelts, as well as steering wheels and other components. Eurowind Energy will supply the energy from its Pecineaga wind power plant for 12 years under a virtual PPA. In addition, the Swedish automotive manufacturer has another new contract in Finland.

Eurowind Energy recently completed the construction of all eight SG 6.6-170 turbines at the site in Northern Dobruja (Dobrogea in Romanian). However, the 48 MW wind farm is expected to become operational by 2027, according to an update from Autoliv.

PPAs essential for project development for Eurowind Energy

Estimated annual output is 176 GWh, equivalent to the electricity needs of 48,000 Romanian households. The investment is worth EUR 79 million. Eurowind Energy, based in Hobro, Denmark, is one of the biggest wind and solar power developers in Romania.

The company is also a partner in the construction of a giant photovoltaic plant in Bulgaria. The Tenevo facility is planned to be combined with a future wind park and a battery energy storage system into a hybrid power plant.

“PPAs are essential in developing new energy parks. Power purchase agreements with large, ambitious companies like Autoliv ensure the continuous development of new parks and a cleaner future for all of us,” Commercial Director Jesper Schaumburg-Düring said. Eurowind Energy is 50% owned by EWE Holding while Norlys Holding controls the other half.

Autoliv is combining wind with solar in different countries to optimize electricity production

Autoliv’s other new virtual PPA, also for 12 years, is with Alight, for a proposed solar power plant of 100 MW in peak capacity. The two deals are important for ensuring a consistent and reasonably priced energy supply for the manufacturer’s activities in Europe, reducing the risks associated with potential future energy price fluctuations, the announcement reads.

“The innovative approach of combining solar and wind technologies ensures optimal energy generation during both day and night. This approach and the fact that the facilities are located in two different European countries provides flexibility in Autoliv’s physical operations and electricity procurement,” the company added.

The PV park in Eurajoki, Finland is supposed to come online in 2026. Autoliv revealed that it intends to “contract a majority of the clean electricity produced.” Construction is set to start during the spring, the statement adds.

“Through these initiatives, we support our ability to supply customers seeking sustainable products and we take a significant step forward in achieving our climate targets for the European operations,” said Autoliv Europe’s President Magnus Jarlegren. The company aims to achieve carbon neutrality in own operations by 2030 and net zero emissions across the supply chain by 2040.

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April 3, 2025
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Bulgaria aims to make Europe’s biggest energy community

The Ministry of Energy, Electricity System Operator (ESO) and the Bulgarian Development Bank (BDB) are launching a solar power program for municipalities, schools, kindergartens, hospitals and small businesses. There are no upfront costs and the installations become the beneficiary’s ownership within eight years.

Minister Zhecho Stankov said the goal is to create the largest energy community in Europe and hinted that the government would finance the scheme with a green bond. He also declared the start of the regional Vertical Gas Corridor project in Bulgaria as the first pipes were delivered.

Every school and hospital in Bulgaria can become an electricity producer, Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov stressed as he presented a financial support mechanism designed with the ambition to create the largest energy community in Europe. The model will benefit both the public sector and private business, he pointed out in the port city of Burgas at a ceremony marking the arrival of the first 4,000 pipes for the Bulgarian sections of the regional Vertical Gas Corridor.

The joint initiative with the country’s power transmission system operator ESO and the Bulgarian Development Bank is for the installation of solar panels with no upfront costs. Beneficiaries – municipalities, schools, kindergartens, hospitals and small businesses – would pay through energy savings and become owners in six to eight years, Stankov claimed.

Bulgaria mulls issuing green bond to finance sustainable energy

The minister also said the project could lead to the government’s first green bond to finance clean and locally produced energy available to a wide range of consumers.

For example, Burgas Municipality can equip all schools, hospitals, kindergartens and other facilities with photovoltaic panels without spending a penny from the local budget, Stankov explained.

Government to invest EUR 57 million in Vertical Gas Corridor

The Vertical Gas Corridor is envisaged to connect Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine. They plan to transport the fuel from liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals Alexandroupolis and Revithoussa in Greece, and from the Caspian region, via the Southern Gas Corridor.

The government is fully funding the first stage of the project on Bulgarian territory, with EUR 57 million. The pipes for the pipelines came from India.

Stankov: Bulgaria will never again be left without natural gas

“Bulgaria will never again be left without natural gas,” said Minister Stankov. The capacity of the line between Kulata, on the border with Greece, and Kresna will be increased to 3.6 billion cubic meters per year from 2.3 billion, he added. The distance is 48.5 kilometers.

The most difficult part is between Mikrevo and Ribnik, where three kilometers will be built by horizontal drilling, the minister revealed. He explained there would be no aboveground work, so that nature and infrastructure wouldn’t be affected.

Another section, 80 kilometers, is from Rupcha to Vetrino. The purpose of the investment is to double the maximum annual flow toward Romania to 10 billion cubic meters, Stankov stressed. The last one, Tarnik-Piperovo, is 51 kilometers long.

The compressors on the corridor are reversible, allowing gas supply in both directions, the minister noted.

April 3, 2025
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Number of prosumers in Romania spikes 79% in one year to 204,000

Prosumers in Romania operated 2.44 GW of capacity at the end of January or 63% more than one year before. Their number soared 79% to 203,984 and it is set to keep growing substantially with more government subsidies underway.

Once again, prosumers confirmed their role as the main pillar of Romania’s energy transition. Growth in the segment is fueled by government support, mostly through funds obtained via the European Union. The number of households, small firms and institutions with the status reached 203,984 by the end of January or a stunning 79% more than 12 months earlier. There were only 303 registered at the end of 2019!

Total capacity jumped 63% on an annual basis, to 2.44 GW, the National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) said. Photovoltaic installations in Romania surged 57% last year, to 4.7 GW, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). It means prosumers still account for more than half.

The Environment Fund Administration (AFM) said it would propose a record EUR 442 million budget for the Casa Verde Fotovoltaice subsidy scheme for prosumers

The number of households was 180,617 two months ago, so roughly 2.4% are currently prosumers. They had 1.13 GW installed.

The remaining ones are legal entities, 23,277 of them, with 1.31 GW.

Most prosumers are in Ilfov county, almost 13,783, followed by Timiș (10,007) and Bihor (8,286).

The Environment Fund Administration (AFM) said it would propose a record EUR 442 million budget for Casa Verde Fotovoltaice. It is a subsidy program for the installation of solar panels, mostly for households. Last year the sum amounted to EUR 402 million.

This year the fund is introducing a scheme worth EUR 80.4 million for battery storage for prosumers. More than 66,000 candidates already applied for a maximum of EUR 6,000 per household for solar panels with storage systems.

President of the APCE association of prosumers and energy communities Dan Pîrșan said EUR 80.4 million for 2025-2026 enables one in four existing prosumers to install batteries and become almost energy independent.

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April 3, 2025
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Power exchanges to test cross-border day-ahead trading in 15-minute intervals

Nominated electricity market operators in Europe are starting joint member testing on April 7 for cutting the cross-zonal day-ahead power trading interval to 15 minutes. The switch is expected to improve the integration of renewable energy sources.

The European wholesale electricity market is preparing to switch its market time unit (MTU) from 60 to 15 minutes within the Single Day-Ahead Coupling (SDAC) mechanism. The move is significant in competition terms as well as for liquidity and the optimization of power production resources. The Market Coupling Steering Committee, MCSC, said joint member testing is kicking off on April 7 with a plan to complete it on May 15.

It scheduled the go-live for 15-minute products for June 11, for delivery on June 12.

“Testing will allow us to fine-tune processes, validate key scenarios and ensure everything is in place for a smooth launch. Our teams are committed to rigorous testing to guarantee the system’s efficiency and reliability from day one. TSOs will provide production-like capacities,” the body added.

Intermittent renewables require shorter market time units

The Single Intraday Coupling (SIDC) and SDAC projects merged and formed MCSC three years ago. It consists of exchanges, formally called nominated electricity market operators or NEMOs, and transmission system operators (TSOs).

SDAC allocates scarce cross-border transmission capacity by coupling wholesale electricity markets from different regions through a common algorithm. It simultaneously takes into account cross-border transmission constraints. The aim is to create a single pan-European cross-zonal day-ahead electricity market.

The market is experiencing a surge in intermittent sources – wind and solar energy, completely exposed to unexpected weather changes. The 15-minute MTU could eventually be cut to five minutes or even less.

“This new development will refine market operations by enhancing precision, improving the integration of renewable energy sources, and increasing overall efficiency and flexibility. By enabling better adaptation to fluctuations in energy supply and demand, it will support more accurate pricing and scheduling, delivering significant benefits to market participants,” the announcement reads.

NEMOs, TSOs to monitor as exchange members test new system

NEMOs and TSOs are responsible for monitoring as market participants test the shorter interval. The two sides will collaborate to further enhance process stability, MCSC said.

The tests include full decoupling with a shadow auction and the simulations of bidding errors and a lack of liquidity. The switch implies checking functional and simulation integration, among other elements.

JAO, the single allocation platform (SAP) for all the TSOs for cross-border transmission capacity, said it would conduct shadow auctions on April 7, 8 and 9.

As for power exchanges region that Balkan Green Energy News covers, the Romanian Gas and Electricity Market Operator (OPCOM), Independent Bulgarian Electricity Exchange (IBEX), Croatian Power Exchange (CROPEX) and Greece’s Hellenic Energy Exchange (EnEx or HEnEx) updated their members on joint testing ahead.

Of note, Greece and Bulgaria recently achieved another step in power market integration. Both connected to the Platform for the International Coordination of Automated Frequency Restoration and Stable System Operation (PICASSO). It enables them to trade balancing energy.

The Western Balkans aren’t coupled yet with the single European electricity market.

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