In the previous year, the total electricity production in Montenegro amounted to 3.45 thousand gigawatt-hours (GWh), which is 4.36% more than the gross consumption of 3.3 thousand GWh.
“The achieved annual production met the total demand, resulting in a surplus of 143.84 GWh,” states the report on the implementation of the energy balance for the previous year, published by the relevant ministry.
Out of the total electricity production, 2.1 thousand GWh was generated from renewable energy sources (RES), while 1.34 thousand GWh came from the Pljevlja thermal power plant (TPP).
Production at all hydroelectric power plants (HPP) was below plan. The Perućica HPP produced 92.93% of the planned electricity, Piva HPP achieved 99.47%, and small hydroelectric plants produced 82.79% of the planned output.
The report indicates that wind power plants (WPP) achieved 89.41% of the planned electricity production, while solar plants (SPP) produced 58.85% of the planned output.
The Pljevlja thermal power plant exceeded its planned production by 1.58%.
“Overall electricity production was approximately 4.3% lower than the planned figures. Gross electricity consumption in the previous year amounted to 3.3 thousand GWh, which is 5.95% more than the planned consumption,” the document states.
The report further explains that the hydrological conditions were below the long-term average, which negatively impacted the overall production of hydroelectric plants. This resulted in a 20% lower output compared to the exceptionally favorable hydrological conditions of 2023.
The total losses for the previous year amounted to 471.62 GWh, which is around 26 GWh or 5.96% more than the plan, but nearly 2% lower than the losses in 2023.
Transmission network losses amounted to 143.23 GWh, while distribution network losses were 328.39 GWh.
The document stresses that the priority remains the construction of new stable energy sources that will ensure security in case of unfavorable hydrological conditions, which are beyond control.
“Also, due to the fact that the highest electricity deficits occur during the summer months, it is essential to continue maximizing the use of solar energy by building solar power plants, which have the greatest efficiency during the summer months,” the document concludes.
