At the sixth Energy Summit “SET Trebinje 2025” in Trebinje, Nemanja Laković, the Executive Director of the Pljevlja Coal Mine (RUP), presented their “Just Transition Plan through Business Transformation”. which he described as the first concrete plan of its kind in the region.
Laković highlighted that the Pljevlja Coal Mine is a key driver of economic, energy, and industrial development in both the town of Pljevlja and Montenegro. Over the past five years, the coal mine and the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant (TE Pljevlja) have generated around 840 million euros worth of electricity at market value, contributing over 40% of the country’s base electricity supply with approximately 1,500 employees. The discussion surrounding the potential shutdown of this system is thus very sensitive, according to Laković.
To address these challenges, RUP has taken concrete actions. The Just Transition Plan is built on the company’s internal resources, which will support the establishment of 12 new businesses based on human and staff capacities, as well as market conditions in Pljevlja. Laković emphasized that the company is focusing on launching and improving business operations such as construction services, setting up an asphalt base, maintenance units, and transportation departments.
Regarding renewable energy, RUP has prepared documentation for the construction of the “Durutovići” small hydropower plant (MHE) and plans to install a solar power plant with a total capacity of up to 50 MW. The company’s geological department employs trained personnel for drilling and mining tasks, and it is laying the groundwork for producing personal protective equipment for its own needs, as well as for EPCG Group and the broader market. Laković also noted the competitiveness of RUP’s laboratory on external markets, as well as the development of an IT department and network system design.
All of these projects have business plans and feasibility studies in place, with financing models ready, Laković said.
However, Laković also pointed out a significant issue: no funding has been offered so far for just transition projects in non-EU countries. He stressed that further efforts must focus on accessing funds, particularly from EU accession funds, to finance these projects. Currently, RUP is financing the projects from its own resources.
