Representatives of the Pljevlja Coal Mine (RUP) stated that the consortium led by Aquamont from Herceg Novi has filed an appeal regarding the selection of a consortium for the Ćehotina River relocation project.
They reminded that the RUP Tender Commission had excluded this consortium from the public procurement process due to incomplete documentation regarding the fulfillment of requirements outlined in the tender documentation, such as the ability to perform the work, financial capacity, and technical qualifications.
According to RUP, the appeal concerns the documentation of the selected consortium, and it does not dispute the decision to exclude the consortium from the procurement process.
RUP representatives and the public procurement commission acknowledged the legal right of the consortium to file an appeal, which was submitted on the last day of the deadline. However, they expressed concern that delaying the decision on the contractor selection for this project could cause significant harm to the energy system of Montenegro if the project is not completed on time.
They emphasized that the relocation of the Ćehotina River is of national importance, as the stable operation of the Pljevlja Coal Mine and the Pljevlja thermal power plant (TPP) is critical to Montenegro’s energy stability. The project, they stressed, must be completed much sooner, in coordination with the ecological reconstruction project, by the end of the 2025 construction season.
RUP pointed out that there has already been considerable delay in the project due to inadequate decisions made previously and the conditions of the 2019 Environmental Permit, which hindered its realization. The work has since been expedited, and the new management, after obtaining the necessary permits, has started work and procurement procedures to complete this vital project on time. In 2024, RUP successfully carried out works worth €2.96 million to reduce project costs and accelerate progress.
RUP also announced that, at the end of the previous year, it had launched an international tender for a portion of the Ćehotina River relocation project, worth €16.2 million (excluding VAT), with two regional consortia submitting bids.
The multi-member RUP commission evaluated the submitted offers and made an appropriate decision on the ranking and selection of the contractor. The selected consortium consists of companies with relevant experience in this field. These companies are currently working on the construction of riverbank reinforcement projects on the Lim River in Berane and Bijelo Polje, financed by the World Bank.
RUP noted that 2025 will be the most challenging year for both the Pljevlja Coal Mine and the energy system of Montenegro due to the implementation of two crucial investment projects – the relocation of the Ćehotina River and the ecological reconstruction of TPP Pljevlja, both of which need to be completed that year.
Given the importance and urgency of the project, RUP’s management expects swift action from the relevant institutions concerning the appeal, so that the procurement procedures can be finalized and the work, vital for the stable operation of Montenegro’s energy sector, can proceed.
