Montenegro recorded its highest-ever daily electricity consumption on 12 August, with demand reaching 12,218 MWh. The figure was reached despite wildfire-related network interruptions that disconnected thousands of customers for part of the day. Distribution system operator CEDIS said the level exceeded the previous national record set exactly a year earlier by 113 MWh.
Wildfires disrupt distribution network near Herceg Novi
The record was achieved under difficult operating conditions around Herceg Novi, where wildfires created significant problems for the distribution network. CEDIS temporarily disconnected two 35 kV transmission connections, including the Herceg Novi-Topla line. The disruption on the Herceg Novi-Kumbor connection lasted considerably longer.
CEDIS reported that around 10,800 customers were affected on the Herceg Novi-Kumbor connection. The average interruption duration was 238 minutes. After the outages, efforts to reroute electricity through alternative sections of the network led to additional technical difficulties and further outages.
Energy delivered still above prior national record
Despite the interruptions, total energy delivered during the day still exceeded the previous national record. CEDIS indicated that underlying demand would have been even higher without the supply disruptions. The episode reflects how Montenegro’s summer load can rise sharply during peak holiday periods.
The source data links higher summer consumption to tourism, air-conditioning use and high coastal occupancy. It also notes that this seasonal pattern differs from the traditional winter load profile seen in some continental Balkan markets. Montenegro’s historical reliance on imported electricity during periods when domestic generation cannot cover demand is also highlighted as a relevant factor.
Implications for generation and regional price exposure
The high summer demand affects not only CEDIS’s distribution network but also EPCG’s generation position. It also increases Montenegro’s exposure to regional day-ahead and cross-border electricity prices. Wildfire risk is described as adding an additional layer to that exposure.
The combination of extreme heat raising electricity demand while threatening transmission and distribution infrastructure is cited as creating conditions where more power is needed as parts of the network become harder to operate. The 12,218 MWh record is presented as evidence that this scenario occurred alongside operational stress affecting local network assets.
