EPCG plans to build Montenegro’s first floating solar power plant

State power utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) plans to build the first floating solar power plant in Montenegro and one of the first in the region, at its Slano reservoir near the city of  Nikšić.

Slano represents a great potential for renewable energy development in Montenegro, particularly given that the country does not have large land areas suitable for ground-mounted solar power plants, according to EPCG CEO Nikola Rovčanin.

The Slano reservoir spans about 9 square kilometers and is owned by EPCG, which means that the deployment of solar panels would not entail resolving any ownership issues, the company said. Also, according to Rovčanin, Slano is not seen as a potential tourist spot.

The project has attracted companies from Denmark

The project to build the floating solar power plant has drawn the interest of companies from Denmark, said Rovčanin. Thanks to the quality of its construction and energy companies, Denmark has long been recognized for its capabilities in developing cost-effective and environmentally safe green energy projects, he added.

EPCG also noted that studies have shown that floating solar power plants are 12.5% more efficient than those built on land or rooftops thanks to higher sunlight reflection.

Albania’s first floating PV plant partially submerged in incident

Norwegian green energy company Statkraft has recently installed the first floating solar power plant in Albania, on the reservoir of its Banja hydropower plant, deploying solar panels totaling 500 kW as part of the first stage of a 2 MW project.

However, soon after the commissioning early this month, the facility was severely damaged and partially submerged. Ocean Sun, the Norwegian floating solar tech firm which developed the technology, has said it is working together with Statkraft to take the damaged unit ashore and determine the cause of the incident.

State power company KESH plans to install a 12.9 MW floating PV plant

Albania’s state-owned electricity producer, KESH, also plans to develop a floating solar power plant, with an installed capacity of 12.9 MW. The panels are to be deployed on KESH’s reservoir Vau i Dejës in a project that will be financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).