A Study on the Resource Viability of Offshore Wind Energy in Montenegro, authored by Miloš Bogdanovic and Špiro Ivoševic at the Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Montenegro, suggests the country has potential for more than 2.2 GW of offshore wind.
The authors of the study investigated areas in the Adriatic suitable for the construction of offshore windfarms. Seven blocks were identified as suitable for the construction of offshore windfarms.
Their research indicated Montenegrin waters in the Adriatic could support up to 2.29 GW of offshore wind capacity, including 2,034 MW based on floating structures. The rest of the capacity would be based on the use of fixed offshore windfarms.
Montenegro is a small country in southeastern Europe with a population of approximately 620,000. It has a territorial sea area of approximately 2,022 km2, with waters ranging in depth from less than 50 m to more than 1,000 m. The government there is in the process of developing renewable energy legislation.
Currently, Montenegro’s power production system relies on hydroelectric power, land-based windfarms, solar power, and a single coal-fired power plant, amounting to a total installed capacity of 1,053 MW, with the coal-fired power plant contributing 21% of the total.
The authors of the study suggested that in water depths exceeding 60 m, windfarms could only be constructed using floating structures. They calculated that 88% of the sea area suitable for windfarms is located at depths exceeding 60 m.
Partner at law firm Schoenherr, Ivana Panić, and Luka Veljović, an attorney at the company, noted recently that the government of Montenegro is working on renewable energy legislation and other legislation that could facilitate the development of offshore windfarms. A draft Renewable Energy Act was launched in early 2024.
They also noted that the Montenegro-Italy interconnector “presents an exceptional opportunity for the construction of the first offshore windfarm in this part of Europe.”
They continued, “Montenegro has demonstrated its readiness and commitment to energy development and its significant untapped potential for offshore wind along its coastline.”
