The Montenegrin state-owned utility, EPCG, has finalized a detailed feasibility study assessing the establishment of gas-fired power plants across various sites in the country. This initiative aims to enhance the energy landscape by evaluating generation capacities from 50 MW to 400 MW, with potential locations pinpointed in Bar, Podgorica, Pljevlja, and Niksic.
Conducted by SS&A Power Consultancy, the study indicates that all proposed options are both technically feasible and financially sound. Initial investment estimates range from €233 million to €362 million, contingent upon plant size and gas supply logistics. These findings underscore the viability of expanding Montenegro’s energy portfolio through gas-powered generation.
Looking ahead, EPCG emphasizes that future decisions will hinge on securing dependable long-term gas supplies and aligning policy frameworks with government authorities. This strategic direction is reinforced by a recent memorandum of cooperation with Japan’s JERA, which includes plans for an LNG terminal and a gas-fired power plant in Montenegro.
The foundation for this feasibility assessment was laid in December 2021 when EPCG’s board greenlit a new investment initiative targeting gas-based generation. The mandate encompassed the exploration of various technical solutions and preliminary assessments for configurations such as:
A hybrid gas turbine plant of at least 50 MW near the Port of Bar, integrating renewable sources; a combined-cycle gas plant of at least 150 MW adjacent to the KAP industrial complex in Podgorica; and a gas-fired facility capable of producing up to 200 MW in Pljevlja.
The study also explored plant sizes ranging from 50 MW to 400 MW across all proposed sites. EPCG confirmed that adequate land is available for each location, including sufficient space for larger installations that require extensive footprints.
Utilizing cutting-edge high-efficiency gas turbines is central to the proposed technical concepts. EPCG has highlighted that access to natural gas is essential for any forthcoming developments. Various supply pathways have been evaluated, including potential offshore gas resources, imports through Serbia, LNG deliveries via the Port of Bar, and connections to the planned Adriatic–Ionian (IAP) gas pipeline.
Multiple supply scenarios were analyzed for each site, confirming that all configurations are economically viable under standard reference conditions. EPCG reiterated its commitment to engaging closely with government entities and strategic partners as it moves toward implementing gas-fired generation solutions in Montenegro.
