Montenegrin state-owned power utility EPCG has completed the reconstruction and modernization of Unit A7 at the Perucica hydropower plant, marking a major milestone in extending the operational life of the country’s oldest hydropower facility. The upgrade has enhanced the plant’s reliability, efficiency, and operational flexibility, ensuring continued stable electricity production.
The project involved a full overhaul and replacement of key components, including the complete reconstruction of the turbine with new nozzles and servomotors, installation of spherical inlet valves, new turbine regulation and excitation systems, electrical protections, and an advanced digital monitoring and control platform. The generator’s 110 kV field was entirely rebuilt, while all medium-voltage components were replaced with insulated busbars.
Equipment installation was finalized in mid-October 2025, followed by a series of functional and performance tests. The modernized A7 unit was officially commissioned on October 28. Integrated into EPCG’s upgraded SCADA system, the new unit now contributes not only to electricity generation but also to auxiliary services such as secondary frequency regulation, enhancing the overall stability of Montenegro’s power grid.
The reconstruction was implemented in cooperation with Austrian company Voith Hydro and financed through an agreement with the German Development Bank (KfW). The total investment for Phase II of the Perucica modernization project amounts to 33 million euros.
EPCG’s acting CEO, Bojan Djordan, described the A7 modernization as a significant achievement in the ongoing revitalization of Montenegro’s oldest hydropower plant and a key step in strengthening EPCG’s production capabilities. He emphasized that combining decades of operational experience with modern technology has extended the plant’s lifespan, improved its performance, and reaffirmed EPCG’s dedication to sustainable energy development and national energy independence.
With this successful upgrade, EPCG continues to advance its long-term strategy to reinforce domestic hydropower infrastructure and ensure a stable, reliable, and environmentally sustainable electricity supply for households and industries throughout Montenegro.
