Mujović: Montenegro’s coal plant Pljevlja won’t be shut down for another ten years

The coal-fired power plant in Pljevlja won’t be shut down for at least another ten years, according to Minister of Energy and Mining of Montenegro Saša Mujović.

Saša Mujović spoke to public broadcaster RTCG about the green transition stipulated by Energy Community rules. Thermal power plant Pljevlja won’t be shut down in a year – it will operate for at least seven to ten years, until the Kruševo hydropower plant is built, he pointed out.

The minister claimed that the government took all factors into account.

Mujović announced in late March that the government is ready to build a power plant, the news outlet noted.

Two investments are under consideration – the Kruševo and Ćehotina hydropower projects, he said at the time.

Hydropower is “not passé,” he stressed in the new remarks.

Mujović: Hydropower is not a passé

Of note, state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) started the ecological reconstruction of TPP Pljevlja in April 2022. The aim is to reduce its pollutant and carbon dioxide emissions in line with the European Union’s standards and extend its lifespan.

The Pljevlja facility has 225 MW in capacity and it accounts for 40% of domestic electricity output.

In early 2023, the Energy Community Secretariat advised the country to align its legislation with the EU and adopt a national energy and climate plan (NECP) including a shutdown date for TPP Pljevlja.

The national energy and climate plan is envisaged to be adopted by mid-year

Mujović stressed the government is working on the NECP and that it would be adopted by the middle of the year.

It is necessary to define goals that are especially important – primarily how to cut CO2 emissions, in his words.

According to the minister, Montenegro will achieve the CO2 emissions target by reducing the activity of TPP Pljevlja by 15% to 20%. Experts have been hired and the government is expecting to see the results, Mujović said.