The Mayor of the Municipality of Nikšić, Marko Kovačević, said at the ceremony marking the official commissioning of the "Gvozd" wind farm that he could not imagine a better celebration for his birthday than tonight, when the implementation of a significant project is being marked, the Municipality of Nikšić announced.
Kovačević reportedly believes that perhaps the only better celebration will be on May 9, 2028, when Montenegro becomes a member of the European Union.
"As you know, Nikšić won the title of European Capital of Culture for 2030, and with the implementation of such projects, we can say that it is also becoming the energy capital of this region. The results achieved by the Municipality of Nikšić in the sphere of culture and art, energy, industry and numerous other fields are valued and recognized at the international level. I must thank the Government of Montenegro for, through the recently signed contract, a significant investor coming to our municipality, which, with the results it is achieving, is bringing Montenegro closer to the goal of becoming a member of the European Union in 2028," said Kovačević.
He added that he wants them to continue on this path together, and that he is proud of the realization of today's project.
"The vision that EPCG represents is best reflected in the implementation of such million-dollar projects, where the price of electricity for our citizens has not increased in the last five years. Therefore, on behalf of the Municipality of Nikšić and on behalf of all the citizens of Nikšić, I congratulate EPCG, its management and the Government of Montenegro, with the wish that we continue with this policy and successfully implement similar projects in the future," Kovačević emphasized.
As stated in a statement by the Municipality of Nikšić, the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajić, said that these wind farms will bring many benefits to our country.
"I am very pleased that we are together today at the beginning of the trial operation of one of the most important energy projects in the modern history of Montenegro. It is precisely projects like this that lay the foundation for economic development, energy stability and a more secure future for our country. This wind farm is the best confirmation that EPCG has the resources and capacities to finalize projects of this size, exclusively for the benefit of our state and citizens. We will not stop there — investing in energy is a priority, because it is our great development opportunity. That is why we are immediately continuing with the second phase. Gvozd is a key project on our path to green transition and will become the largest wind farm in Montenegro," the Prime Minister emphasized.
The President of the Board of Directors of EPCG, Milutin Đukanović, reportedly announced that in the past four years, EPCG has built 150 megawatts of new sources of electricity with the "Gvozd" wind farm.
"We have already installed 100 megawatts of so-called prosumers in over 10 thousand households, whose production is already 230 megawatt-hours, which is around 30 million euros. By the end of the year, we will have built close to 250 megawatts, whose production will be 400 megawatt-hours. EPCG is not waiting for the energy transition, but is vigorously implementing it," said Đukanović.
"The ceremony was also attended by Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović, German Ambassador to Montenegro HE Peter Felten, Head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Montenegro Remon Zakaria, and Executive Director of EPCG Zdravko Dragaš," the statement reads.
Šahmanović: A new chapter in Montenegro's development is opening
The Gvozd wind farm (VE) was officially put into trial operation tonight, and the value of the project is 82 million euros, the Ministry of Energy and Mining announced.
At a ceremony in Krnovo, it was announced that the works were completed ahead of schedule.
As announced by the Ministry, the wind farm's capacity is 150 gigawatt-hours of electricity, which is enough to supply electricity to 25 households.
Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović said that today is not just the launch of a new wind farm, but also the opening of a new chapter in the development of Montenegro.
"With the commissioning of the Gvozd wind farm, Montenegro is getting its first major state project from renewable sources. It is not just an energy project, but a symbol of a new development direction," said Šahmanović.
This, he said, is proof that the energy transition is a reality.
"We are sending a message that Montenegro knows where it is going and that energy is a matter of development and stability," said Šahmanović.
The Gvozd wind farm, as he pointed out, is an investment in Montenegro's security, energy independence and economic future.
"A big step towards the era of green energy. Montenegro is clearly choosing its side of the future. Our future lies in domestic, clean energy. This is not the end of one project, but a new investment cycle in energy," emphasized Šahmanović.
He thanked the engineers, workers, expert teams and management of the Electric Power Company of Montenegro (EPCG), which owns the Gvozd wind farm.
Prime Minister Milojko Spajić emphasized that citizens will not pay additional subsidies for the Gvozd wind farm.
"The Gvozd power plant is owned by EPCG and will operate according to market principles. Investments in energy are a priority and that is our development opportunity. With the Gvozd power plant, we protect the environment, because it will reduce harmful gas emissions produced by 60 thousand cars," explained Spajić.
He emphasized that the Gvozd wind farm is one of the most important projects in the modern history of the country.
"After the formation of the 44th Government, this project started. It is precisely projects like this that lay the foundations for economic development and energy stability. The Gvozd wind farm is the best confirmation that EPCG has the resources and capacities to finalize projects of this size, exclusively for the benefit of the state and our citizens," said Spajić.
At the ceremonial commissioning of the Gvozd wind power plant, in addition to representatives of EPCG and the rest of the energy sector, there were the German Ambassador to Montenegro Peter Felten, representatives of the German company Nordex, which was the contractor for the Gvozd wind power plant construction project, as well as representatives of the Municipality of Nikšić.
The project was implemented from a loan arrangement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
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