Abazović: Montenegro to achieve energy independence in 2030

Outgoing Prime Minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazović said his pre-election coalition is pledging to make the country energy independent in 2030. He vowed that the next government would facilitate the construction of offshore wind power plants and earmark incentives for solar power plants and energy efficiency measures.

Montenegro will make sure that a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal is built in the maritime Port of Bar, according to outgoing Prime Minister Dritan Abazović from the Civic Movement United Reform Action – GP URA. Presenting his pre-election coalition with the President of Democratic Montenegro party Aleksa Bečić, he vowed to make the country energy independent in 2030.

The alliance is promoting the Green Pljevlja project for the transformation of the industry and infrastructure in the northern town of Pljevlja, Abazović pointed out. The municipality hosts Montenegro’s only coal-fired thermal power plant with mines.

The project entails the establishment of “four compatible businesses” in the energy sector, URA’s leader added. The activities include training and an education program for future engineers and the plan is to implement it within four years, in Abazović’s words. The government recently signed a memorandum of understanding with British company Chayton Capital and state-owned coal and power utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore.

Obligatory minimum to be introduced for renewable electricity share in buildings

Abazović promised to facilitate the construction of the first offshore wind farms as well as wind and solar power plants throughout mainland Montenegro and incentives for photovoltaics and energy efficiency measures.

He revealed the intention to roll out a law on construction that would introduce a certain minimum of electricity from renewable sources in buildings. “That way, I think, there will be no more problems and no winter in Montenegro anymore,” Abazović stated.

Wind park project is under development for location in Pljevlja

As for wind parks, a 120 MW facility is planned right in the Pljevlja municipality. The Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro received a request to determine whether an environmental impact report is necessary for wind generators on 167 hectares in Bobovo and Kruševo. The applicant is Marijana Andrić Marijanović as a physical person.

The location is 30 kilometers southwest of the town. The wind park is envisaged to have twenty W2E-185/6.0 units produced by Wind to Energy from Germany. Annual output is estimated at 393.8 GWh. The government issued the urban planning and technical requirements in December.