The idea of building dams on the Morača River was revived through amendments to the Podgorica Spatial and Urban Plan, adopted in August 2025. While the Ministry of Energy and Mining says that the project is only a possibility for now and no work is planned in the medium term, the Montenegrin Electric Power Company states that there is already interest in principle from certain foreign companies.
18 kilometers from Podgorica, along the banks of the Morača River, is the hamlet of Milunovići — a place where 17 years ago, by decision of the then Government of Milo Đukanović, the construction of a hydroelectric power plant was planned. Although the tender failed three years later, the idea did not disappear. Moreover, with the amendments to the Podgorica Spatial Plan (PUP) from August this year, the project was revived. The Ministry of Energy and Mining says that everything is just an idea.
"At this moment, the Government of Montenegro and the Ministry of Energy and Mining are not planning to build hydroelectric power plants on the Morača River. The mapping of potential locations for hydroelectric power plants on the Morača River in the amendments to the Podgorica Urban Development Plan does not mean a decision on the implementation of the project, but rather represents a spatial reserve for possible future valorization of hydropower potential. Currently, there are no active investors or partners interested in the implementation of this project," the Ministry of Energy and Mining said.
In addition to Milunovići, the PUP also envisages the construction of hydroelectric power plants on the Morača River at Zlatica and Raslovići, and Andrijevo was previously in the pipeline. The Electric Power Company of Montenegro (EPCG), the only domestic company capable of such an investment, says that there is some interest from abroad.
"There is a general interest, both from EU companies and companies from other countries, in the possible development of this project. All decisions regarding the possible innovation of the documentation for the Morača HPP project will be made by EPCG in cooperation with the relevant Ministry of Energy and Mining and the Government," EPCG said.
The few residents of Milunovići that the Vijesti TV crew met were not in the mood to speak on camera, but they say they are not opposed to the idea of building hydroelectric power plants.
However, according to the environmental impact assessment, the construction of dams would drastically affect the state of the flora and fauna of the Morača Canyon.
Although both the relevant ministry and the Electric Power Company promise full transparency in the possible implementation of this idea, there remains concern that the project, which was previously declared unsustainable, could have serious environmental consequences.
However, at least for now, there won't be any, unless the idea is turned into action overnight.
And, that would certainly cost a lot. Previously, it was estimated that it would be 500 to 700 million euros, but now market conditions, materials and equipment are significantly more expensive, which would mean significantly higher amounts.
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