EPCG mulls green ammonia, hydrogen production with European companies

Montenegro’s government-controlled power company Elektroprivreda Crne Gore and European investors are considering the possibility of jointly producing green ammonia and hydrogen.

“Investors from Western Europe have approached us with an idea to jointly produce green ammonia and develop such projects,” said Bojan Đordan, who heads the production section at Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG). He spoke to Balkan Green Energy News during the Energy 2023 conference on Zlatibor mountain in Serbia. The domestic Energy Experts Association organized the event.

More details will be available soon as the utility has undertaken the initial steps, Đordan pointed out.

“We hope to sign a memorandum of understanding on such projects with a prominent company from the sector,” he added.

He explained that the idea is to produce ammonia from renewable energy sources, primarily from wind and solar. Ammonia would be used in basic industrial production processes in various sectors including energy.

Hybrid energy production is also being considered

There is also interest from western European companies in the production of green hydrogen, Đordan said and added it is a possibility for hybrid production, as renewable energy would be used.

Gas power plants, in his words, could be included in the projects. Of note, EPCG has previously announced that it was considering the construction of hybrid power plants that would use renewable sources and natural gas.

Ammonia and hydrogen can be used for energy storage and as a fuel, but also as a raw material. The first two roles are the most important for the energy transition.

International conference Energy 2023 – Energy Independence of the Region in the Light of Global Disturbances – New Reality gathered more than 300 experts from the European Union and the region. It was officially opened by Radoš Popadić, adviser in the Ministry of Mining and Energy. The participants were greeted by Nikola Rajaković and Milun Babić, presidents of the Energy Experts Association and its assembly, respectively.