Sustainability in focus of Montenegrin energy development in 2019

The beginning of the operation of the Montenegro-Italy submarine power cable in mid-2019, doubled wind power generation, and the start of solar power plants’ production, as well as a complete transition of aluminum plant KAP from heating oil to natural gas, will mark developments in the energy sector in 2019, according to the Energy Plan for 2019 adopted by the Government of Montenegro.

According to the document, due to the commencement of the commercial use of the Italy-Montenegro electricity interconnector, the electricity transit in 2019 is planned at 3,593 GWh, which is 69% more than expected in 2018.

The wind farms’ generation this year reached 167 GWh, and for the next year it is projected at 313 GWh.

The 72 MW wind farm Krnovo should generate 201 GWh in 2019, 20% more than the expected production in 2018.

It is planned for the 46 MW wind farm Možura to be online in 2019, with an output of 111.8 GWh, according to the Energy Plan.

Montenegro has not had solar power generation so far, but that will change in 2019, when two solar power plants are expected to start production and generate 2 GWh. The Energy Plan does not name the solar power plants in question.

In the official register of privileged electricity producers in Montenegro, there are 3 solar power plants in Danilovgrad. Also, the tendering for leasing land at the site of Briska Gora for the construction of a solar power plant is close to an end.

The total production of electricity from renewable energy sources in 2017 was 1,084 GWh (46% of total electricity production) and the expected volume for this year is 2,433 GWh (64%), while the 2019 plan sees 2,094 GWh (61%). The largest part of this energy is produced by hydropower plants.

The import is projected at 819 GWh and export at 678 GWh. Import is more or less equal to the 2017 and 2018 levels, while export is slightly lower than in the previous two years.

KAP to eliminate heating oil consumption

Aluminum plant KAP constructed and put into operation the natural gas supply infrastructure in 2018.

This made it possible to switch from heating oil to natural gas, so the consumption of this petroleum product in the plant in 2019 will be completely eliminated, according to the Energy Plan.