At the margins of the “EPCG.NET” event in Budva, Montenegro’s Minister of Energy and Mining, Admir Šahmanović, met with Pablo Obrador, Head of Transport and Energy at KfW Bank, to review progress on the public building energy efficiency improvement project and discuss further cooperation.
The project, supported by KfW Bank and the European Commission, aims for systemic modernization of Montenegro’s public infrastructure by increasing energy efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and improving living and working conditions for citizens.
The total project value is nearly €60 million: €45 million in KfW loans, €4.78 million grant from the European Commission, and up to €10 million in national co-financing. So far, €25 million has been spent.
Completed works include educational facilities in Tuzi, Kotor, Nikšić, Cetinje, and Bar. Ongoing works focus on key buildings like the Old People’s Home in Kotor (€6.56 million excluding VAT), with upcoming projects in Berane, Bijelo Polje, Risan, Herceg Novi, Podgorica, Plav, Gusinje, Rožaje, and Nikšić.
Key goals include reconstructing and building public facilities to modern energy efficiency standards, constructing Montenegro’s first nearly zero-energy building student dormitory in Cetinje, modernizing educational, social, and administrative buildings, and establishing a central system to monitor energy and water consumption in the public sector.
The government emphasizes that improving energy efficiency is not just a cost-saving measure but a long-term investment in public finance stability, citizens’ quality of life, and environmental protection.
Šahmanović and Obrador also discussed continuing successful cooperation between the Ministry and KfW Bank. Šahmanović concluded that energy efficiency remains a key government priority, vital for a smart, responsible, and sustainable state infrastructure.
