The relocation of the Ćehotina River has prevented the shutdown of the Pljevlja Coal Mine and Thermal Power Plant, securing Montenegro’s energy stability at least until 2041, according to the Europe Now Movement.
The project, worth 16 million euros, is fully funded by the mine without burdening the state budget. Thanks to responsible management by director Nemanja Laković, more than one-fifth of the work has already been completed.
Work is carried out in three shifts and progressing well, aligned with the modernization schedule of the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant.
Laković stated that the river relocation must be completed by November. While weather conditions in the later stages could cause delays, the team hopes to adhere to the current timeline.
The total length of the relocated riverbed is 2,300 meters. The most technically demanding section near the Durutovići dam involved accelerated removal of 150,000 cubic meters of limestone using controlled blasting, significantly shortening the planned timeline.
The overall project cost is 16.2 million euros excluding VAT, with the mine independently completing about 4 million euros worth of work to reduce costs.
Timely completion is critical, as any delay would directly threaten Montenegro’s electricity system stability, given that the thermal power plant provides over 40% of stable energy supply.
