The Electric Power Company of Montenegro (EPCG) resolutely rejects blanket assessments that attempt to create the impression in the public that the process of ecological reconstruction of the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant has led to an increase in pollution in Pljevlja compared to the situation before the start of that process or compared to the previous forty years of operation of the plant.
This was announced by this state-owned company, which reacted to the words of the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović.
Referring to air pollution in Pljevlja, Milatović said today in the Montenegrin parliament that it is one of the most serious environmental and health threats in Montenegro, and that the authorities had to show greater responsibility when it comes to solving the situation that is harming the health of the citizens of Pljevlja.
"Someone in Podgorica needs to hear what is happening in Pljevlja, that the other night in Pljevlja several children ended up in the hospital precisely because of the ecological disaster that occurred. We already had to have at least five ministers in Pljevlja today who, together with decision-makers in the Electric Power Industry, should see how to repair the damage. Unfortunately, we do not have a single member of the Government in Pljevlja," said the head of state.
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EPCG, however, points out that during the entire period of implementation of the ecological reconstruction, there was no increase in emissions of harmful particles compared to historical levels.
"On the contrary, today we are on the verge of completing a project that will, for the first time since the construction of the Thermal Power Plant, significantly and measurably reduce emissions of particulate matter and sulfur dioxide, thereby permanently improving air quality in Pljevlja. Elektroprivreda Crne Gore has implemented and started the largest investment cycle in renewable energy sources in the company's history. Green projects today are measured in hundreds of megawatts of installed capacity, through solarization of household and business roofs, construction of large solar power plants and development of new clean energy sources," the statement reads.
If this is controversial for someone, then we are obviously talking about a basic misunderstanding of the energy transition, EPCG adds.
"We 'ignorants', as it is implicitly suggested, have implemented projects measured in hundreds of megawatts, while on the other hand, political phrases are offered without a single megawatt implemented, without a single project and without a single responsibility taken. We have also adopted concrete, socially responsible measures for the benefit of the citizens of Pljevlja. The active energy on the electricity bill of all consumers in Pljevlja has been reduced by 50%, while consumers who heated themselves via the boiler room in Skrajlićeva Street have been granted an additional reduction of another 25 percent," the company said in a statement.
It is also added that the Pljevlja district heating project, which has been talked about for more than forty years, but as stated, without actual implementation, has finally been launched.
"For the purpose of objectively informing the public, according to information from official health institutions, the number of children with respiratory problems who presented for examination at health institutions, as well as the number of hospitalized children, is significantly higher compared to last year in all municipalities across Montenegro, due to the peak of the respiratory viral epidemic. This phenomenon is not directly correlated with air pollution. According to the same official sources, all children hospitalized at the Pljevlja General Hospital - nine in total - are in stable health, without the need for oxygen therapy, with a clinical picture that corresponds to a common respiratory viral infection of greater intensity," EPCG stated.
They point out that one gets the impression that Milatović does not deal with facts, documentation, or official data in his public appearances.
"It would be useful if, before making serious and publicly stated accusations, he opened the relevant files, which clearly document what Elektroprivreda Crne Gore has done for Pljevlja. In the end, it is quite legitimate to ask the question: what, specifically, measurable and comparable, has Mr. Jakov Milatović done for Pljevlja?", the statement concludes.
Milatović: The children ended up in the hospital so that those who run Elektroprivreda, unknown political parties like Đukanović, could try to save them
The President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, told reporters today, after speaking in the Parliament, that every citizen of Pljevlja should know that the ecological disaster that occurred the other day occurred at the expense of their health.
"I heard that many children from Pljevlja, the mayor told me, ended up in the hospital because of that evening. Those children from Pljevlja who ended up in the hospital ended up there so that those who manage Elektroprivreda, unknown political parties like Mr. Đukanović, could try to save them. This is the only truth for you, the citizens of Pljevlja and the citizens of Montenegro, and someone needs to say this out loud," said Milatović.
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