Montenegro is experiencing a significant shift towards community-driven renewable energy solutions through the RECME2 project, which aims to establish integrated Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) nationwide. This initiative includes four pilot projects located in Bar, Podgorica (two sites), and Nikšić, combining solar photovoltaic (PV) systems with battery energy storage (BESS). The project’s goal is to enable local citizens, households, and businesses to collectively generate, share, and consume clean energy, thereby reducing both costs and carbon emissions while providing a model for replication across the Western Balkans.
In Bar, a construction company is utilizing the RECME2 framework to develop 320 residential units aimed at achieving sustainable energy management. By integrating rooftop solar systems and BESS, this initiative allows residents to self-consume and share energy more effectively. In Podgorica, one pilot focuses on a mix of professional studios, apartments, and a kindergarten. This collaboration not only lowers electricity expenses for families but also supports the educational institution’s goals. Another pilot in Podgorica targets a commercial building that serves small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), offering predictable energy costs while facilitating electric vehicle (EV) charging through rooftop PV installations.
Nikšić’s initiative encourages local households to utilize both ground and rooftop areas for energy generation, fostering community resilience while collectively reducing electricity bills. These local efforts are part of a broader strategy to align with Montenegro’s national vision for renewable energy development.
The RECME2 project is structured in two distinct phases: the first phase involves community activation and legal setup with an allocated budget of €145,000 aimed at establishing governance frameworks and member recruitment. The second phase focuses on feasibility studies and light infrastructure deployment with a budget of €48,000 dedicated to assessing technical options for wider implementation. Overall, the project has a total budget of €193,000.
Governance within RECME2 includes a General Assembly, Supervisory Board, and Coordinator with Secretary roles that ensure transparent decision-making processes. Each site under this initiative is projected to achieve an installed PV capacity of 10 kW with plans to implement 12–15 sites annually. The integration of 20 kWh BESS allows for effective load shifting while aiming for a self-consumption target of 50%. Capital expenditures per site range from €27,000 to €32,000 but could reach up to €50,000 if EV charging pods are included. Furthermore, the project anticipates CO₂ offsets between 2.5–3.6 tons annually per pilot site.
RECME2 has set clear objectives: establishing two RECs by project completion; enrolling 50 members by the end of the project with ambitions to grow this number to 500 within five years; and engaging with 20 authorities to facilitate model replication in other municipalities. The emphasis on citizen participation and stakeholder collaboration underscores the importance of local empowerment in decision-making processes related to governance and energy-sharing agreements.
This initiative highlights how localized efforts can drive significant advancements in renewable energy adoption within Montenegro and serve as a blueprint for similar projects in the region. By integrating renewable generation with community engagement strategies, RECME2 not only addresses cost reduction and emissions targets but also enhances social cohesion among participants.
Ultimately, RECME2 illustrates that community-led initiatives can effectively complement broader national strategies for energy transition in the Western Balkans region by leveraging structured governance models alongside innovative renewable technologies.
