Power utility EPCG plans to launch tendering for reconstruction of 5 small HPPs

Montenegro’s state power utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) plans to launch tendering in the third quarter of 2019 to select a contractor to produce, deliver, and install equipment, as well as a contractor to produce the main design plan for a project to overhaul and modernize five small hydropower plants (SHPP), EPCG has said in a press release.

The reconstruction and modernization of the small hydropower plants, operating as part of EPCG’s Perućica hydropower plant (HPP), should begin during 2019. The estimated value of the project is EUR 3.26 million, according to the press release.

The SHPPs in question are Rijeka Crnojevića, Podgor, Lijeva Rijeka, Šavnik, and Rijeka Mušovića, which were built in the mid-20th century.

All five SHPPs have a combined installed capacity of 2.5 MW and a projected annual production of about 5.5 million kWh of electricity, EPCG said, adding that the output of the five SHPPs is not backed by feed-in tariffs for small hydropower plants’ production from renewable energy sources.

EPCG has signed an agreement on producing project documentation for the reconstruction and modernization of the SHPPs, according to the press release, which does not name the contractor.

The deadline to produce the preliminary design plan expires within eight months of contract signing, while tendering to select a contractor to produce, deliver, and install equipment, as well as a contractor to produce the main design plan for the five SHPPs, is planned for Q3 2019, according to the press release.

Hydropower plants account for bulk of renewables capacities

In 2017, Montenegro had a total of 753 MW in renewables capacities, with large HPPs accounting for 649 MW, small hydropower plants (SHPP) for 32 MW, and the Krnovo wind farm for 72 MW, according to the Energy Community Secretariat’s latest Annual Implementation Report.

Montenegro overshot its 33% renewables target for 2020 back in 2016, when the share stood at 41.6%.

The country’s total production of electricity from renewable energy sources in 2017 stood at 1,084 GWh (46% of the total electricity production), while the expected volume for 2018 is 2,433 GWh (64%). The 2019 plan projects an output of 2,094 GWh (61%).