The Montenegrin electricity distribution company, Crnogorski elektrodistributivni sistem (CEDIS), has launched the third phase of a project aimed at introduction of smart metering system in Montenegro. In this phase, 45,000 smart meters will be installed by January, 2019.

CEDIS announced that 14,800 smart meters will be installed in the central region, 18,000 at the Montenegrin coast, and around 12,000 in the north of the country. New meters will enable automated, simpler and faster measurement of consumption.

The Project of upgrading metering system in electricity distribution was launched in December 2011, and since then around 250,000 meters have been installed, bringing about 70 percent of the users of the electricity distribution network into the automated metering system.

The project envisages also the reconstruction of the network and equipment. This includes the modernization or replacement of CEDIS’ low-voltage infrastructure and installment of a modern energy management system (EMS).

CEDIS states that this has significantly increased the quality and safety of power supply and reduced network losses in substations areas that are part of the remote reading system.

The third phase of the project is also financed from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development loan worth of EUR 32 million.

The third phase of the project, including the replacement of old meters with modern equipment, moving of measuring points and equipment delivery, will be implemented by the consortium of the German company REGIOCOM, the Polish SAKSPOL and the Montenegrin MEZON d.o.o. from Danilovgrad.

The disposal and further treatment of replaced meters will be carried out by CEDIS in accordance with the waste management regulations. From the beginning of the project, 268,140 kilograms of waste were handed over.

The project will make Montenegro, which is a candidate to join the European Union, the first EBRD country of operations to meet the EU target of smart meter coverage for at least 80 per cent of the population by 2020.

The modernization and smart meter installation program is expected to result in over 86,000 tons of CO₂ savings per year.