The first phase of Pljevlja’s most important environmental project—the town’s district heating system—is nearing completion. In the coming period, the completed facilities will enter a trial operation phase, although delays in selecting contractors for the second and third phases remain a concern.
According to Veselin Sekulić, the project manager for the district heating system, only about 40 meters of work remain on the 2.3-kilometer main pipeline from the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant to Vektra Jakić. After that, thermal insulation will be installed on the above-ground section over Mount Plješ, followed by trial operation of the installed systems.
“The trial operation will start sometime in November after the ecological reconstruction. It is planned that by April or May 2026, everything will be ready for full testing of the main and backup heat sources as well as the primary pipeline. The main source and pumping station works are almost complete and will enter trial operation by the end of this month. The backup boiler plant is also finished and will start testing at the same time. We expect both systems to complete trial operation around April or May 2026, when the entire network will be put into operation,” Sekulić explained.
He noted that despite successful progress on the first phase, worth around €10 million, the significant delay in starting the second and third phases is worrying.
“The second and third phases remain the responsibility of the Ministry of Public Works and the Municipality of Pljevlja. Unfortunately, those tenders are still not finalized. After seven or eight months of delay, the contractor has not yet been selected, which is a serious issue. The winter months could be used for material procurement so that construction can begin as soon as spring arrives. The work must be completed by October 2026,” said Sekulić.
If those phases are completed on time, Sekulić is confident that citizens of Pljevlja will finally experience the benefits of the long-awaited district heating system during the 2026/2027 heating season.
