Energy production at the point of consumption, the use of existing hydropower infrastructure to connect solar power plants, and the development of battery systems for energy storage are three key strategic policies currently being implemented by Elektroprivreda (EPCG), announced the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Milutin Đukanović.
"The 'produce where you consume' policy is, in our opinion, the winner of the energy transition. At the same time, hydropower infrastructure provides technical and meteorological compatibility for connecting to solar power plants. And all of this makes no sense without the strong development of battery systems," Đukanović said at the EPCG NET symposium in Budva.
The symposium was organized by EPCG and its partners.
By the end of the year, as announced by EPCG, the Gvozd Wind Farm, with a capacity of 55 megawatts (MW), will be put into trial operation, in which EUR 82 million was invested, with financial support from the KfW bank. Construction of Gvozd 2, with a capacity of 21–22 MW, is expected to begin early next year.
On Friday, as announced, the public call for the installation of the eighth generator in the Perućica HPP, with a capacity of 58 MW, was completed, and the start of operation is expected in 2027.
Djukanovic recalled that the 3000+ project has been completed with 35 MW of solar capacity on 3500 facilities, while the 5000+ project is already halfway through with 40 MW and more than four thousand consumers. The 10.000+ project is expected to begin in the middle of next year.
Preparations are underway for the construction of several solar power plants: Krupac 50 MW, Štedim 150 MW, four power plants on Kapino Polje with a total of 50 MW, as well as facilities in Željezara, where ten MW out of the planned 30 have already been installed.
"The first public call for tenders for the procurement of battery systems will be announced soon and will include two 30 MW (120 MWh) systems. By the end of 2027, EPCG plans a total of five such systems, with a total capacity of 600 MWh," said Đukanović.
Đukanović also announced a public call for tenders for the construction of a tunnel that will connect the Krupac and Slano reservoirs, worth EUR 12 million, as part of a broader plan for the valorization of the waters of the Nikšić Field.
In addition, the valorization of Lake Liverovići and groundwater in Nikšićko polje is planned, with total investments that could exceed one billion EUR and the potential for 700 MW of new capacity.
"The energy transition is a great opportunity for progress, but also a serious threat if the risks are ignored. Time is of the essence - we must act now," said Đukanović, inviting forum participants to focus their discussions on concrete solutions, and offer criticism and ideas for improving existing policies.
The EPCG NET Forum brought together numerous experts, investors and representatives of institutions from the energy sector of the region and Europe, who discussed key issues of sustainable energy and energy security.
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