Montenegro is willing to continue all joint initiatives and ongoing projects with Serbia, stated Montenegro’s Minister of Energy and Mining, Admir Šahmanović, during a meeting with his Serbian counterpart, Dubravka Đedović Handanović, in Belgrade.
Šahmanović expressed interest in Serbia’s successful experience with energy transition and the stimulation of the private sector through auctions for market premiums on renewable energy sources. He highlighted that Montenegro currently has 45 major energy projects in various stages of implementation and believes that adopting a similar auction process could accelerate these projects.
The two ministers discussed cooperation opportunities, including the joint use of hydropower resources, sharing knowledge on auction processes for renewable energy premiums, and implementing energy infrastructure projects connecting both countries. They agreed that Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina are linked through the Transbalkan energy corridor, which integrates their power systems.
Đedović Handanović emphasized the importance of investing in the transmission network to maintain system stability alongside renewable energy auctions. She also noted that construction of the third section of the first phase of the Transbalkan corridor will start this year, including new transmission lines connecting Bajina Bašta, the Montenegro border, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Both ministers agreed that regional countries need a unified approach to carbon emissions taxation, given their similar energy sector challenges. They acknowledged that meeting EU carbon pricing and CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) requirements will require access to European funds, as the necessary changes cannot be achieved in just a few years.
Šahmanović also mentioned Montenegro’s plans to intensify dialogue with Italy regarding the second submarine cable project to Italy, which will enhance the resilience and stability of Montenegro’s energy system.
