The President of the Parliament of Montenegro, Andrija Mandić, said that the parliamentary majority and the Government "have defined a plan to make Montenegro a country of happy and wealthy people."
"We always put happiness first, because people do not associate happiness only with wealth and money, but those who do associate it with money, which is necessary for every family to live a normal life, and that necessarily includes it. We have a good opportunity to use what God has given us, and what hardworking, talented, smart people know how to use best, which is the production of electricity, that Nikšić and Pljevlja are our two most important centers for the production of electricity and that this is the product that only meets all world standards," said Mandić in Nikšić.
He, together with representatives of EPCG, led by the President of the Board of Directors of the energy company, Milutin Đukanović, the President of the Municipality of Nikšić, Marko Kovačević, and the President of the Board of Directors of "Solar Gradnja", Marina Jočić, visited the solar power plants on the Vrtac reservoir and in the Steel Mill.
"Everyone predicts that electricity consumption will double in the coming years, so that Elektroprivreda, the Municipality of Nikšić and especially the company 'Solar gradnja', of which we are more than proud, can respond to the demands of the time, the wishes of the citizens of Montenegro, and undoubtedly that the hydropower potential will be maximally utilized," the President of the Parliament is convinced.
He pointed out that Milutin Đukanović presented to him that there was a great possibility of using groundwater at the Vrtac reservoir, which would be "transferred into canals, and then electricity would be generated in Perućica", as well as that there was a possibility of using the capacities of Lake Liverovići.
"These are all ideas that serve as a source of pride for us. When we complete the 'Sunny City' project, when Marko Kovačević and the Municipality of Nikšić realize what we promised the citizens, I think that Nikšić will be proud of being a city of happy and rich people. There are no elections. We are not here to collect any votes, nor are we in an election campaign. We have to work every day. The most work has to be done after the elections. I expect these hardworking people to be the strongest support for establishing the basic goal - Montenegro, a country of happy and rich people," concluded Mandić.
According to Marko Kovačević, in cooperation with EPCG, they plan to turn the dam on the Salt Lake into a representative promenade.
"In the context of Nikšić competing for the title of European Capital of Culture, we plan to create a cultural program on the artificial lakes, which are all owned by Elektroprivreda - four types of culture, on four artificial lakes. Everything is intertwined with each other - these happy and wealthy people need to have cultural content and we are trying to complement each other," said Kovačević.
As he said, they are trying to create the prerequisites to start implementing the "Sunny City" project.
"We talked to people from the Ministry of Urban Planning about this and I think that, after our Planning and Design Agency takes over the responsibilities under the new law and creates detailed urban plans, we will be able to start this project very soon."
Đukanović: Over 2027 megawatts of new electricity sources planned by 700
The President of the Board of Directors of EPCG, Milutin Đukanović, said that the dam on the Vrtac reservoir has multiple significance.
"This project will enable the production of quality electricity, we have enabled the workers of the Steel Plant to work, to install structures, the workers of 'Solar Construction' to install panels. A good idea can employ many people and many companies," said Đukanović.
It's a difficult year, but according to him, this must be overcome by producing large amounts of electricity.
"By 2027, we plan to have over 700 megawatts of new sources of electricity. Work is well underway on the 'Gvozd' wind farm, we expect that 50 or so megawatts will start by the end of this year, and 'Gvozd 2' will continue immediately with 20 or so megawatts. We have received urban planning and technical conditions for the solar power plant in Željezara, with a capacity of 30 megawatts. It has been connected and has started operating in the so-called trial run," said Đukanović.
As he emphasized, they received urban planning and technical conditions for 150 megawatts on Štedim, as well as for 50 megawatts on Lake Krupac, and work has begun on solar power plants on Kapino Polje, with a capacity of 50 megawatts.
"It is a matter of days when we will announce public calls for tenders for the procurement of battery systems, 240 megawatt hours that will be installed in the Steel Plant. That is the future. Today, a public call has been issued to build a tunnel that will connect the Krupac and Slano lakes. That is the dream of Nikšić and we are convinced that it will be completed by 2027. The public call for tenders for the preparation of documentation for the installation of the eighth generator in the 'Perućica' HPP, with a capacity of 58 megawatts, has been completed," emphasized the Chairman of the Board of Directors of EPCG and added that they are open to cooperation with foreign partners.
"If we do not have complete cohesion and agreement of all institutions of this system, from energy companies, the Parliament, the Government, local self-government, everything will be much more difficult. We have great support, but we have to speed up. These are times like these - it is difficult to plan for the long term and we have to make the most of this time and ensure that the citizens of Montenegro benefit the most from these good projects," said Đukanović.
Jočić: We are starting to make panels in parking lots
According to Marina Jočić, President of the Board of Directors of "Solar Gradnje", they are currently installing solar power plants on roofs and it is one of the most useful products for the citizens of Montenegro "because they produce electricity where they consume it and their bills will be zero in a few years."
"We have many other plans. Today, I agreed with the President of the Board of the Electric Power Company that we will start making panels in parking lots, which is a big project for these sunny areas of ours. There will be chargers for electric cars, so we are rounding off a product that is modern, meets global trends, and I think this is a very successful company," Jočić emphasized.
She pointed out that they are doing pioneering work in Montenegro and that they were the first to start installing solar panels.
"As things stand, it's going very well. We've managed to employ over 500 people in a sustainable way, with good average salaries of over 900 euros. They work hard. We have a young management team that understands the needs of the time and works accordingly," said Jočić, adding that they have big ambitions.
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