The Montenegrin government has officially approved a ten-month extension for the initial phase of the Otilovići small hydropower project, managed by state-owned utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG). This decision is part of a new agreement with the Ministry of Energy and Mining aimed at facilitating the project’s progress near Pljevlja.
This extension represents the third amendment to the concession agreement established in 2022. The acceleration of project activities this year can be attributed to EPCG’s selection of Vigoris Ecotech for both design and construction tasks, following a series of unsuccessful tender attempts.
With this revised timeline, EPCG aims to secure a construction permit by late September 2026, marking the conclusion of the preparatory phase. Initially, the utility was tasked with completing technical documentation and obtaining necessary permits within an 18-month timeframe; however, ongoing delays have necessitated multiple deadline extensions.
Following the completion of this first phase, the subsequent stage will concentrate on construction and commissioning, projected to take approximately two years as outlined in the concession agreement. The facility is planned to incorporate two horizontal Francis turbine units with a combined installed capacity of around 3.2 MW.
Once operational, the Otilovići small hydropower plant is anticipated to produce approximately 11 GWh of electricity each year. This output is expected to meet the energy needs of roughly 1,800 households, thereby supporting Montenegro’s broader objectives for renewable energy development.
