The development of solar power plants in Montenegro is yielding concrete results, and close to 80 megawatts (MW) of built capacity is currently in operation, announced the executive manager of FC Snabdijevanje in Elektroprivreda (EPCG), Jovan Kasalica.
At the 40th International Energy 2025 Conference, which opened today on Zlatibor, he said that the Solari 3000+ and 500+ project, which included the installation of 30 MW of solar panel power, had been successfully implemented.
The second project, Solari 5000+, which involves the installation of an additional 70 MW, is in an advanced stage, so, according to Kasalica, it is realistic to expect that by the end of the year the total capacity of solar power plants in Montenegro will exceed the planned 100 MW.
"What we particularly highlight is the Solari 3000 + project, in which EPCG had no additional costs - the loans were transferred to funds and users, who now have lower bills and greater energy efficiency," said Kasalica.
During the introductory panel, he pointed out the significant results that Montenegro is achieving in terms of energy transition.
EPCG announced that the Conference, organized by the Union of Energy Professionals, brought together around 600 eminent experts in the field of energy, who will try to examine and provide answers to open questions that concern the energy sector of the region in the next two days.
"Montenegro relies on one key production facility - the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant (TPP), which contributes around 40 percent to the annual energy balance. If this capacity were to be excluded from the system, we would face serious challenges," said Kasalica.
According to him, Montenegro has recorded an increase in electricity consumption of over 25 percent in the last four years, which he explains as a result of the low price of electricity, but also the increasing participation of solar power plants.
"The largest part of this growth relates to the heating sector, especially in the central and northern parts of Montenegro. In doing so, we have made a concrete contribution to decarbonization in the region, which we will document with precise data," said Kasalica.
He added that the construction of the 54 MW Gvozd I wind farm on the Krnov Plateau is also underway, and it should also enter the system by the end of the year.
"It is certain that we will have this capacity connected by the end of the year, thus Montenegro continues to expand its portfolio of renewable sources," concluded Kasalica.
Four panels, three invited lectures, and six parallel sessions have been announced for the conference.
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