Pljevlja develops district heating network to use waste heat from thermal power plant

Air pollution in the Montenegrin town of Pljevlja is among the worst in the Western Balkans, but the population there should get better heating and cleaner air as early as 2024, thanks to the project to use waste heat from thermal power plant (TPP) Pljevlja.

State-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) and the consortium of Roto-Term from Pljevlja and Synergy Tech from Belgrade stroke a EUR 2.5 million deal on district heating in Pljevlja.

The contract was signed at the TPP Pljevlja by Nikola Rovčanin, executive director of EPCG, and director of Roto-Term Nino Begović.

According to the agreement, the consortium is tasked with developing the project design and other technical documentation for a district heating pipeline from coal-fired power plant Pljevlja to the town, to be built in stages. The first phase would be 2.3 kilometers long.

District heating is part of the ecological modernization project at TPP Pljevlja

The introduction of district heating in Pljevlja is an integral part of the ecological modernization project at TPP Pljevlja, which began in April this year. The power plant’s impact on the environment should be minimized, and the level of emissions of nitrogen, sulfur and particulate matter lowered to comply with the European Union’s directives.

Pljevlja has air pollution issues due to its proximity to TPP Pljevlja, but also because coal is one of the main sources for heating homes in the town. The ecological modernization project and the use of waste heat from the facility are aimed at improving air quality.

Of note, North Macedonia is conducting the same kind of project in Bitola.

Rovčanin: The project’s second phase depends on the Public Works Administration

Nikola Rovčanin, executive director of EPCG, said the plan for district heating in Pljevlja dates back 40 years.

He expressed hope that in 2024 the city’s existing infrastructure would be connected to the pipeline from TPP Pljevlja and that the municipality would subsequently expand the network.

The project will improve environmental protection and create conditions for companies to invest in Pljevlja, said Rovčanin. He pointed out that the second phase of the project would be launched by the Public Works Administration early next year.

The EUR 2.5 million that was paid to the consortium represents half of the funds that EPCG has planned for the project, in line with its business plans and the memorandum of understanding with the Public Works Administration and the Municipality of Pljevlja.