Montenegro’s state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore plans to include an international partner in the development of the Komarnica hydropower project. The company cited the experiences of Norway, Austria, and France. The plant, with a proposed capacity of 172 MW, is expected to have an annual production of around 213 GWh.
Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) has four hydropower plants in the pipeline: Komarnica, Kruševo, Ćehotina, and Sutorina. The Komarnica and Kruševo projects have made the most progress, but challenges remain. Environmental organizations oppose the Komarnica project, while in September last year, President of EPCG’s Board of Directors Milutin Đukanović noted that the project has been on hold for two years.
Importantly, Kruševo and Ćehotina have been mentioned as investments that could be implemented within a partnership with French state-owned power utility EDF. EPCG now told Vijesti that it has temporarily withdrawn the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the Komarnica project because the Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro set a short deadline to revise it.
The plan is to include a renowned international partner, in cooperation with the Government of Montenegro, to assure transparent and professional project implementation, particularly considering the experiences and best practices of countries like Austria, France, and Norway, according to EPCG, which claimed the three countries have successfully aligned environmental standards with energy development.
In addition to supplementing the EIA report, the company plans to conduct a study on HPP Komarnica’s impact on Durmitor National Park, a UNESCO site, in line with the international organization’s methodology. EPCG also intends to prepare the required environmental studies in a way that would match the rules of one of the international financial institutions.
EPCG expressed the belief that, due to the differing views on hydropower plant construction, not only in Montenegro but worldwide, the best solution is to implement the projects together with a reputable international partner, and in cooperation with the government. The utility said it would prove its commitment to transparency and adherence to all European Union standards. EPCG expects to make a decision on the project and continue the process later this year.
The company pointed out that countries such as Austria, France, and Norway succeeded in finding a compromise between environmental protection, development, and necessary investments. Since they did it, EPCG sees no reason why Montenegro could not do the same in cooperation with companies from these countries. Turning to the benefits of HPPs, EPCG recalled that they ensure the technical reliability and stability of the power system and integration of a significant number of planned solar power plants and wind farms.
