Đordan: Green transition is not a passing trend, but a long-term development opportunity that brings new value

The development of solar energy in the tourism and hospitality sector, where there is great potential, represents a strategic opportunity for accelerating the green transition and strengthening the energy independence of the country, it was assessed at a thematic session of the Board of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of the Chamber of Commerce (PKCG).

At the session, at the initiative of the President of the Board of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of the Republic of Montenegro, Ranko Jovović, the strategic project of the Electric Power Company of Montenegro (EPCG) Solari 5000+ was presented, within which 4,48 thousand solar systems have been installed on roofs so far, producing 90 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity annually.

EPCG and PKCG announced that the session was attended by the Executive Director of EPCG, Ivan Bulatović, who welcomed the initiative, while the Executive Director of the Directorate for Renewable Sources of the national power company, Bojan Đordan, presented the project, the benefits it offers and the results achieved so far in its implementation.

"The Solari 5000+ project includes a total capacity of 70 MW and an annual production of 115 GWh. The investment is worth 56,6 million EUR. Of that, 11,32 million was provided through subsidies from EPCG and the Eco Fund," the statement said.

Consumers, it is added, are enabled to pay for the system through installments that match their monthly electricity bills, without additional burden on the budget.

The session assessed that tourist facilities are particularly suitable for these investments, because they consume energy exactly when they produce it - during the summer months, while the return on investment is estimated at five to seven years.

"Through this model, the consumer also becomes a producer - a prosumer, who not only reduces his bills, but also contributes to the stability of the electricity system," said Đordan.

He said that the green transition is not a passing trend, but a long-term development opportunity that brings new value - from savings and reduction of operating costs to the creation of new jobs and technological modernization through virtual power plants and energy storage.

The meeting also discussed the installation of solar systems in protected areas, as well as in multi-storey buildings through the models of associated manufacturers enabled by the new law. Special emphasis was placed on the reliability of the equipment and technical support, with warranties that extend up to 25 years.

The Director General of the Directorate for EU Integration, International Funds and Digitalization at the Ministry of Tourism, Ivana Bulatović, said that the green transition is the key to the development of tourism in Montenegro.

The ministry, together with the energy sector, implemented a project in which the EU donated EUR 3,5 million, of which EUR 500 million was intended for hotels and EUR XNUMX for private accommodation and rural households, with a focus on the municipality of Nikšić.

"These are not isolated initiatives, but part of a broader strategy. Energy efficiency will not only be an incentive, but soon a legal obligation. We must all be ready," Bulatović said.

She also emphasized the importance of investing in technologies such as heat pumps.

"Incentives are important, but soon energy efficiency will become a legal obligation, and then we will all have to be ready," Bulatović added, calling for further support and investment, especially in heat pumps.

The main message from the Board session, as stated in the statement, is that EPCG remains a strong partner in the realization of sustainable development goals, offering users complete support - from facility analysis, through installation, to commissioning.

"Montenegro has real potential to become an example of a sustainable, energy-efficient destination," the statement concludes.