State-owned Montenegrin power utility EPCG has started the realization of the project for the construction of district heating system in the city of Pljevlja. After 40 years in consideration, at its last session, the Board of Directors of EPCG has finally approved the realization of the project.
The project includes the construction of the primary heating pipeline between coal-fired thermal power plant Pljevlja and the city, which will create conditions for the connection of the existing infrastructure to a new, more environmentally-friendly heating source.
EPCG CEO Nikola Rovcanin said that the project will allow the closure of a number of boiler rooms within the city, which will result in less air pollution. Secondly, it will allow the Montenegrinstate to close Chapter 27 on the protection of the environment within pre-accession negotiations with the EU. And lastly, the will mean cheaper heating for the citizens of Pljevlja.
Last June, EPCG signed a contract for the reconstruction of coal-based thermal power plant Pljevlja with a consortium led by Chinese Dongfang Electric Company (DEC). The deadline for the completion of works is 39 months for the date of signing the contract. The selected consortium offer to perform the reconstruction for around 54.4 million euros including VAT.
Project implementation is scheduled to take place in the period 2019-2021, after which the operation of TPP Pljevlja will be enabled to continue for at least 20 years. Reconstruction will assure compliance with the requirements and adherence to the strictest environmental protection parameters as envisaged under the latest EU Decision 2017/1442.
The environmental reconstruction project includes the construction of the desulphurization system, denitrification system, enhancement of ESP operation as well as development of the waste water treatment system. Revitalization of Maljevac landfill valued at additional 20 million euros will take place concurrently. Close to 9 million euros was already spent on the project for revitalization of the landfill in the last year. The reclamation of the landfill will take place in stages between 2019 and 2023.
