The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced a loan of up to €35 million to support the digital modernization of Montenegro’s electricity distribution system operator, CEDIS. The loan will fund the implementation of a new supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, an advanced distribution management system (ADMS), and the procurement of new smart meters.
The project aims to reduce technical losses by 10%, significantly lower grid outages to about one-sixth of their current frequency, enable the integration of renewable energy sources, and enhance cybersecurity. The SCADA system will allow real-time monitoring and control of medium-voltage networks, while the ADMS platform will help optimize the management and operations of the electricity distribution system. The introduction of smart meters will improve the tracking and management of electricity consumption for both users and utilities, boosting overall efficiency and reliability.
Additionally, the project is expected to receive support from the European Union’s Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), although specific grant details have not been disclosed.
The loan was initially announced in May 2024 and will be disbursed in two phases. The first tranche, totaling €25 million, will allocate €15 million for Phase I of the SCADA/ADMS implementation and €10 million for the procurement of smart meters. The second tranche, amounting to €10 million, will be used for Phase II of the SCADA/ADMS rollout.
