Montenegro’s Perucica hydropower plant has returned to its full 307 MW capacity following the completion of the final stage of its annual overhaul by state utility EPCG. The restoration follows earlier partial grid return in early September, when 190 MW was available. EPCG shortened the full shutdown after the Pljevlja thermal power plant went offline and Montenegro’s electricity system required additional domestic generation.
Overhaul timeline and equipment work
Maintenance continued on the remaining equipment after the initial partial return. Work focused on the second penstock and repairs to the needle-valve servomotor on generating unit A4. After the penstock was refilled and successfully tested, units A3, A4 and A5 were cleared for operation.
The clearance of units A3, A4 and A5 restored the plant’s entire installed capacity. With all units back in service, Perucica is again operating at its full 307 MW level. The sequence of partial return, targeted maintenance and subsequent unit clearances reflected the need to maintain domestic generation while other capacity was unavailable.
Role in Montenegro’s power balance
Perucica is described as one of Montenegro’s most important generating assets. It covers domestic demand and provides operational flexibility within the national system. Its return reduces reliance on imports while regional prices remain volatile and the availability of the Pljevlja plant is critical to the national balance.
Hydropower output will still depend on reservoir and inflow conditions, meaning nominal availability does not automatically translate into maximum generation. Even so, completing the overhaul gives EPCG more room to manage the system. For Montenegro, each megawatt restored at Perucica reduces exposure to imported electricity when regional spreads turn against the country.
