Montenegro’s renewable energy pipeline could expand with the proposed 92.4 MW Njegovuđa wind farm in the Municipality of Žabljak, after project developer Wind Europe MNE submitted documentation to the Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro seeking a decision on whether a full environmental impact assessment is required.
The submission represents an initial regulatory step and does not constitute construction approval. However, it provides the first detailed technical outline of a wind project that would rank among Montenegro’s largest planned wind developments.
Planned 14-Turbine Facility to Connect Through 110 kV Network
The proposed Njegovuđa project includes 14 wind turbines, each with an installed capacity of 6.6 MW.
The development would include:
- Internal electrical collection infrastructure
- Access roads
- Turbine assembly platforms
- A substation
- Associated supporting infrastructure
Electricity generated at the site would be transferred to Montenegro’s transmission system through a planned 110 kV substation and overhead transmission line. The turbines would be installed along mountain ridges to capture stronger and more consistent wind conditions while reducing aerodynamic losses between individual units.
The project would require construction or reconstruction of roads with planned widths of approximately four to six metres, with additional widening at selected curves and transport sections to allow delivery of turbine blades, tower components, nacelles, cranes and other specialised equipment. Each turbine position would include a permanent or semi-permanent platform required for installation and future maintenance activities.
The wind farm would be operated through a SCADA system, enabling remote turbine control, real-time monitoring of electricity production and weather conditions, fault detection and coordination with the transmission system operator. The expected operating period is 25–30 years. After that period, the site could either be repowered with newer turbines or decommissioned, subject to new technical and environmental assessments.
Wind Capacity in Montenegro Continues to Expand
Njegovuđa would enter a market that is moving from several individual wind projects toward a broader renewable generation portfolio.
Montenegro entered 2026 with approximately 118 MW of operational wind capacity, consisting of:
- Krnovo wind farm – approximately 72 MW
- Možura wind farm – 46 MW
In May, EPCG’s 54.6 MW Gvozd wind farm entered trial operation, increasing the operating and commissioning portfolio to approximately 172.6 MW. The planned 21 MW second phase of Gvozd would increase that complex to 75.6 MW, with combined annual electricity production expected to exceed 210 GWh.
Njegovuđa would exceed the capacity of either the first phase of Gvozd or Možura and would approach the scale of the expanded Gvozd development. If completed, Njegovuđa would increase Montenegro’s wind portfolio to around 265 MW before Gvozd 2, and approximately 286 MW once both projects are included.
Potential Annual Production Could Reach 340 GWh
The project documentation has not disclosed an official electricity production forecast.
Based on a mountain wind site operating with a net capacity factor of approximately 35–42%, a 92.4 MW facility could potentially generate around 283–340 GWh annually.
Actual production would depend on:
- Multi-year wind measurements
- Turbine power curves
- Wake losses
- Icing conditions
- Electrical losses
- Grid restrictions
- Equipment availability
At annual output of approximately 310 GWh, Njegovuđa could produce electricity equivalent to around 9% of Montenegro’s current annual consumption. The value of the electricity would depend on production patterns, transmission availability, hydrological conditions and prices in neighbouring electricity markets.
Wind Could Support Hydropower Flexibility
The project would add a different generation profile compared with Montenegro’s expanding solar pipeline. Solar production is concentrated around midday, while mountain wind generation can provide electricity during evening and winter periods when demand and regional electricity prices are often higher. Wind generation could also complement Montenegro’s hydropower system by allowing reservoirs at the Piva and Perućica hydropower plants to be preserved during periods of stronger wind production.
The additional capacity could support Montenegro’s electricity trading position through existing and planned transmission links. The country is connected with Italy through the 600 MW first pole of the Montenegro–Italy submarine interconnector and is developing transmission improvements toward Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Albania.
110 kV Connection Remains Key Technical Issue
The project’s ability to participate in the electricity market will depend heavily on the planned 110 kV grid connection. A 92.4 MW generation facility represents a significant injection into a 110 kV node within Montenegro’s relatively small transmission system, particularly in a remote mountain area with limited local consumption.
The transmission operator CGES will need to assess:
- Thermal capacity
- Voltage stability
- Short-circuit levels
- Reactive power requirements
- Compliance with the N-1 security criterion
Studies will determine whether the proposed substation and transmission line are sufficient or whether additional network reinforcement will be required. The connection solution will also influence potential export limitations or electricity curtailment during maintenance periods, network outages or periods of high renewable production.
Project Requires Advanced Grid Compliance Studies
The wind farm’s grid-compliance documentation will need to address European requirements for inverter-based resources.
Each turbine will operate through power electronics, while the plant controller will manage:
- Voltage regulation
- Reactive power
- Active-power ramping
- Dispatch at the connection point
The project will require validated turbine and plant models, fault ride-through studies, frequency response testing, harmonic analysis and evidence of stable operation under different grid conditions.
The turbine manufacturer has not yet been identified.
Supplier selection will affect:
- Energy yield
- Transport requirements
- Foundation design
- Maintenance arrangements
- Financing structure
The proposed 6.6 MW turbine size reflects the industry shift toward larger onshore turbines, enabling higher capacity with fewer foundations and less internal electrical infrastructure.
Mountain Conditions Increase Construction and Operating Challenges
The Žabljak location creates more demanding operating conditions compared with lower-altitude wind sites.
Potential challenges include:
- Snow
- Ice formation
- Low temperatures
- Freeze-thaw cycles
- Lightning
- Turbulence
- Limited winter access
The project would require suitable cold-climate and icing specifications, while production estimates would need to include losses caused by icing and weather-related shutdowns. Construction activities would depend on limited mountain weather windows. Foundation works, road construction, cable installation and turbine erection could be delayed by adverse conditions. Heavy crane operations may be restricted by high winds, while delayed delivery of individual turbine components could extend the construction schedule.
Investment Could Reach €140 Million–€165 Million
The challenging terrain is expected to place Njegovuđa among the more expensive regional wind developments. An indicative capital expenditure range of €1.4 million–€1.7 million per MW would result in an initial investment estimate of approximately €129 million–€157 million. Including grid infrastructure, mountain roads, environmental mitigation, owner costs and contingencies, the total development budget could reach approximately €140 million–€165 million.
Final costs would depend on:
- 110 kV connection requirements
- Transmission reinforcement needs
- Foundation design
- Turbine supplier terms
- Imported equipment costs
Annual operating expenses could range between €3.2 million and €5 million, covering turbine maintenance, land payments, insurance, network charges, environmental monitoring, road maintenance, security and operational personnel.
Revenue Model Requires Long-Term Market Strategy
With annual electricity generation of approximately 300–320 GWh and realised electricity prices of €70–90/MWh, gross annual revenue could reach approximately €21 million–€29 million before balancing costs, curtailment and market fees.
A financeable revenue structure could involve:
- A long-term corporate or utility power purchase agreement
- Participation in renewable energy auctions
- A structured merchant electricity strategy supported by hedging
A fully merchant model would expose the project to regional electricity price volatility and renewable generation congestion. Wind production patterns in Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and parts of Serbia can overlap during broad weather systems, potentially reducing market prices during periods of high output.
A hybrid solution with battery storage could reduce imbalance exposure by supporting short-term balancing, forecast correction and shifting some electricity output into higher-value periods. The commercial case for storage would depend on Montenegro’s intraday market liquidity, balancing rules and storage-related network tariffs.
Environmental Assessment Will Be Critical
The environmental process is expected to play an important role because the project is located in the Municipality of Žabljak, an area associated with Durmitor National Park, protected landscapes and a tourism economy based on natural assets.
The environmental screening request does not represent completed approval of a full impact assessment.
Given the project scale, turbine dimensions, access requirements and mountain location, future assessment would need to examine:
- Birds and bats
- Habitat fragmentation
- Landscape and visual impacts
- Noise
- Shadow flicker
- Watercourses
- Erosion
- Forestry
- Cultural heritage
- Cumulative impacts
Bird and bat monitoring would need to cover multiple seasons, with turbine locations potentially adjusted based on identified flight corridors, nesting areas and sensitive habitats. Possible operational measures could include seasonal restrictions, shutdown-on-demand procedures or automated detection systems.
Project Still Requires Further Approvals
The development must still secure compatible spatial planning status, land rights, grid-connection approval, energy-sector permits, construction permits and financing. The turbine supplier, EPC structure, electricity buyer and lenders have not been disclosed.
Montenegro has already developed wind projects including Krnovo, Možura and Gvozd, demonstrating experience with renewable investments in challenging terrain. Njegovuđa would represent the next stage of wind development, combining a larger turbine configuration, a sensitive mountain location, a major grid connection and the need for a sustainable commercial structure.
