Montenegro gives initial clearance for major solar power projects

The Government of Montenegro issued urban planning and technical requirements for planned photovoltaic units of 150 MW in Cetinje, 100 MW in Podgorica and 15 MW in Nikšić.

Utility-scale solar power projects have been springing up in Montenegro over the past several months, with Cetinje taking the lead. A 506 MW unit planned there would be one of the biggest in Southeastern Europe. Another initiative is for 400 MW.

In the latest round of issuing urban planning and technical requirements, the Government of Montenegro approved the proposal for a 150 MW photovoltaic park, also in Cetinje, the country’s historical capital.

The 150 MW solar power plant in the Cetinje municipality would be built on three groups of lots

The developer, Podgorica-based Solar Power, submitted a request for 130 hectares, divided into three groups of lots. Two are in the area of the village of Velestovo and the remaining one is in Prentin Do. The investor estimated annual output at 214 GWh.

In line with the Law on Spatial Planning and Construction of Structures, the same status has been granted to Unipan Green for a solar power plant with a connection capacity of up to 100 MW, in terms of alternating current. The location is in Botun, just south of Podgorica, where the company is registered.

The historical capital of Montenegro is taking the lead in solar power projects

To receive the urban planning and technical requirements for proposed locations, potential investors have to obtain initial approvals from environmental, agricultural and forestry authorities, the institutions in charge of cultural heritage in the area and the ones responsible for infrastructure.

The government issued one other such document, for a photovoltaic unit of up to 15 MW in connection capacity in Povija in Nikšić, the country’s second-largest city. The firm, TM Invest, is based in the capital city of Podgorica. It was separated from engineering company Telemont.