The Komarnica hydroelectric plant is scheduled for completion in 2032, and Kruševo hydroelectric plant in 2033, enabling the gradual reduction and full shutdown of the Pljevlja coal-fired power plant by 2041 at the latest. Starting next year, coal power plants in the EU will face a special emissions fee, which Montenegro aims to postpone until 2030. This fee would significantly increase electricity costs from the Pljevlja plant. By 2035, the state-owned EPCG and private investors plan to invest €2.5 billion in new hydro, wind, and solar power plants.
The Pljevlja plant currently produces 40% of Montenegro’s electricity. The goal is to reduce this share to 27.5% by 2030 through new renewable energy sources. The plant’s operation is expected until 2040, with reduced hours to meet national climate targets. An ecological upgrade costing €75 million will help reduce harmful emissions.
By 2027, five major EPCG projects are to be completed, including the Perućica unit, Otilovići small hydro, Gvozd wind farm, and two large solar plants (Slano and Krupac), costing around €181 million. Investments until 2035 in Komarnica and Kruševo hydro plants, along with other wind and solar projects, will total €2.5 billion.
Montenegro aims to create a balanced energy mix, combining stable large hydro plants with variable wind and solar power. Integration of renewables requires more flexible energy systems and storage solutions such as pumped storage plants and batteries.
The main goal is for renewable energy sources to replace coal power from Pljevlja as soon as possible. However, challenges include grid infrastructure development, coordination between investors and authorities, and system flexibility.
Failure to build Komarnica and Kruševo hydro plants would help preserve sensitive ecosystems but make meeting renewable energy and emission reduction goals much harder. Alternative solutions like expanding solar, wind, and energy storage would be needed to compensate.
Environmental concerns are raised due to potential impacts of Komarnica and Kruševo projects on biodiversity and protected areas. For example, Komarnica’s dam would create an artificial lake flooding parts of the Emerald area and regional park Dragišnica-Komarnica.
Decisions on these projects must balance energy needs with environmental protection under sustainable development principles.
The plan also includes a solar plant at Velje Brdo, despite government plans to develop a large residential area for 40,000 residents at that site.
