Construction progress on L1, L2 and B1 sections
Work has started on the Kapino Polje project near Nikšić, with activity under way on the L1, L2 and B1 sections. The combined scope for these sections represents around 20 MW. Support structures have been completed, and approximately 4 MW of photovoltaic panels are already installed. The project is moving from announcements into equipment installation.
Planned B2 expansion to reach 40 MW
An additional 20 MW B2 section is expected to begin construction shortly. Together with the existing works, the complex would reach about 40 MW. The milestone is tied to a broader pipeline where many renewable projects remain in permitting or tender stages.
EPCG Solar Gradnja role in Montenegro’s PV build-out
The development is implemented through EPCG Solar Gradnja, the utility’s dedicated solar construction company. It forms part of a strategy to add both distributed and utility-scale photovoltaic generation. Montenegro’s power system remains heavily dependent on hydropower and the Pljevlja coal plant, making output sensitive to rainfall, reservoir levels and thermal availability.
Impact on imports, hydropower scheduling and market integration
Additional solar capacity can reduce electricity imports during summer periods. It can also enable EPCG to conserve reservoir water for evening peaks or for periods when regional prices are higher. The project’s value extends beyond installed capacity alone because it affects how generation resources are scheduled across the day.
System shift toward flexibility and portfolio diversification
The integration challenge is increasingly focused on how to manage renewable output efficiently rather than only adding new megawatts. Solar generation is concentrated in daytime hours, while regional electricity prices often rise after sunset. That pattern increases the importance of storage, flexible hydro operation and stronger transmission links for photovoltaic economics.
Relevance for export balance and regional supply-demand swings
The project also relates to Montenegro’s export position, where supply conditions have historically alternated between surplus and deficit. Hydrology and availability at Pljevlja have been key drivers of that variability. Additional renewable projects can reduce volatility, particularly during periods of strong summer solar output. A 40 MW solar plant will not by itself change Montenegro’s overall electricity balance, but it marks a transition from development capacity toward physical generation assets under EPCG’s state-led solar strategy.
