They asked for a "green permit" for the solar power plant

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will decide whether the planned construction of a solar power plant in Rudine near Nikšić requires the preparation of a report and an environmental impact assessment.

The request was submitted to them by the company "Rudine Energy Park" from Podgorica, which intends to build a solar power plant on almost 130 hectares, with a maximum power of 186,1 megawatts, in that Nikšić village.

In the documentation submitted to the EPA, it is written that the construction of a solar power plant, as they intend to build in Rudine, requires the removal of vegetation and leveling of the terrain, which will lead to loss of habitat, degradation and fragmentation, reduction of biological diversity, and the works will have a large negative impact on habitats as well. plant and animal species, biodiversity...

On the other hand, they state that a detailed analysis of the "Rudine Energy Park" project showed that the impacts on different parts of the environment are limited and unlikely, that it is being built on unurbanized and uninhabited land, where there are no protected species under EU legislation, nor areas that are specially protected, rare and endangered species and habitats, protected buildings and cultural and historical heritage.

This, among other things, is written in the documentation that the company "Rudine Energy Park" submitted to the Agency on September 13, along with the request for a decision on the need to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment Elaborate.

Rudine is located on the Nikšić - Vilusi road, and the project is planned north of that road.

"The impact on biodiversity will vary depending on the degree of habitat degradation, i.e. the changes that occur as a result of the project implementation. In the case of the project, vegetation is both lost and changed. Also, solar power plants usually require some form of vegetation management under and in the gaps between rows of solar panels. There will be no removal of 'unwanted' vegetation using herbicides or covering the ground with gravel to facilitate the operation of the facility. The construction of a solar power plant will have a major negative impact on habitats, plant and animal species, i.e. on biodiversity: some habitats will be destroyed, some degraded, the composition of the plant and animal communities present will change. However, it cannot be said that this is a unique biodiversity related only to the area covered by the project," the documentation states.

Shrubland, oak forest and grasslands

According to data from the Central Register of Business Entities (CRPS), the company "Rudine Energy Park" was registered in May last year, for the production of electricity. They are the founders, one half each, of the companies "CG Energy" and "CG Energy Holding", while he is the executive director Lazar Vujosevic. Vujošević is the founder of the company "CG Energy", while behind the company "CG Energy Holding" is the Swiss company "Swiss Green Energy Holding".

Former Minister of Spatial Planning, Urbanism and State Property Janko Odović in July of this year, he met with representatives of a Swiss company that deals with renewable energy sources, and at the meeting, as it was announced at the time, the "Rudine Energy Park" project, which the Swiss are currently developing, was discussed in detail.

The documentation also states that the current number of inhabitants in Rudine, according to the 2003 census, is about 60, and that it is in a significant decline compared to the 1991 census.

It is emphasized that there are thickets, oak forests, dry grasslands, hornbeam and ash on the plots where the power plant is planned, and that the terrain is inaccessible.

"On the site in question there are surface watercourses and in the immediate vicinity of the construction of the facility there are rural agricultural arable areas. The area is not urbanized, and the wider area is sparsely populated. No other economic activities have been identified, so there is no cumulation with the effects of other projects", it is written in the attached documents.

Radiation possible

It is also stated that a two-meter-high wire fence with a total circumference of 7,79 kilometers is planned, which will surround the photovoltaic power plants.

It is also emphasized that the planned construction of 275.640 electro-voltage modules, 26 electrical switchboards and 51 electrical inverters, and that the modules will be mounted on a fixed structure. It is also stated that the distance between the modules will be more than 90 meters.

"Technical solutions that will be used for the purposes of the project may cause certain radiations. Namely, electric and magnetic fields on installations can possibly cause potentially dangerous effects on workers or users of the device. When it comes to the exploitation phase, electromagnetic radiation is minimal and it is not tested. Also, none of the components of the system will produce any harmful substances during their operation and will not have any impact on the environment," the document states.

Panels hazardous waste after 30 years

It is also added that during the construction, the expected levels of noise and dust will occur due to the operation of machines, mechanization and other tools.

It is also emphasized that solar panels have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years, after which their disposal is questionable, given that Montenegro and the surrounding countries do not have a solution for this type of waste. It is explained that the problem of disposing of solar panels will appear in full force in three decades, because the environment will be even more endangered considering that these materials represent dangerous waste and are not easy to recycle.

"The obligation of the project holder is to treat the solar panels as a type of hazardous waste after replacing them, which will be shipped according to the current national and international legislation. Any alternative solution by which this waste would be temporarily stored in any location that is not strictly intended for the storage of hazardous waste, which due to unprofessional handling and placement in an inadequate location, can lead to major environmental pollution, must not be allowed. During the construction, as well as during the operation of the project, certain amounts of non-hazardous and hazardous waste will be generated. Exact quantities cannot be defined at this time. With the waste generated during the construction process, the contractor will act in accordance with defined procedures and in accordance with the Law on Waste Management", the documentation states, and it is emphasized that the panels will be recycled after use.

They expect that during the construction of the project and the most intensive works, up to 200 workers of various professions will be engaged. It is also stated that the solar power plant is emerging on an area that was not used before, where the average annual temperature is around 7,5 Celsius.

It is also added that the area where the construction of the power plant is planned has not been specially investigated before, but that there are no protected species in it either according to national or EU legislation. In addition, there are no specially protected natural areas, rare and endangered species and habitats, nor protected buildings and cultural-historical heritage in the vicinity.

The government issued the urban planning and technical conditions for this project on September 5 last year.

Land leased for 35 years

The "Rudine Energy Park" project is secured by a long-term lease agreement with all land owners for a period of 35 years, and all the necessary urban planning and technical conditions have been obtained.

This was said in July by representatives of the company "Swiss Green Energy Holding", during a meeting with former minister Odović.

As announced by that department at the time, through the construction of this power plant, carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced and a more environmentally friendly future will be promoted, and Montenegro will be positioned as a leader in the region in renewable energy sources.

"The 'Rudine Energy Park' solar power plant represents a significant contribution to our efforts towards achieving energy transition and sustainable development. Currently, work is being done to secure the connection to the network, which will enable construction to begin as soon as possible," the department said at the time.