EXCLUSIVE: How the Ecological Reconstruction of Pljevlja Power Plant is Costing Millions and Forcing Montenegro to Import Electricity!
Imagine this: The Pljevlja Power Plant, a pillar of Montenegro’s energy sector, will be offline for five months – from April 1st to November 15th! And not for routine maintenance, but for an ecological reconstruction that will cost a staggering €93.3 million just for importing electricity. Yes, you read that right – importing electricity because our largest thermal power plant won’t produce a single kilowatt-hour during the summer and autumn months!
What’s going on?
The Electric Power Company of Montenegro (EPCG) announced that due to works on adapting and modernizing the emission treatment system, the Pljevlja Power Plant will be shut down for a full five months. Routine maintenance usually lasts a few months, but this is an extraordinary situation that will disrupt the country’s energy balance. On average, this capacity provides about 1 GWh of electricity, a huge amount that now must be imported.
How much is this costing us?
For the period when Pljevlja won’t operate, EPCG has contracted imports of electricity amounting to several hundred GWh, with a total value of €93.3 million! In June alone, when the power plant was supposed to be operational, EPCG recorded a loss of about €20 million due to importing more expensive electricity. For comparison, in the first six months of this year, EPCG purchased electricity worth €62.4 million and sold for €53.5 million – imports were already costly, and now they have exploded.
Why is the reconstruction so expensive?
The total cost of the ecological reconstruction of Pljevlja Power Plant is around €87.5 million, including:
- Basic contract with VAT: €57.9 million
- Boiler adaptation: €18.1 million
- Chimney adaptation: €8.45 million
- Construction of the first phase of the primary heating pipeline: €3 million
The works are expected to be completed by November 15th, after which the power plant will operate according to modern ecological standards, with significantly reduced harmful gas emissions and extended operational life.
What does this mean for us?
This reconstruction is necessary for environmental protection and alignment with European standards, but the price is huge. Importing electricity at higher prices directly burdens the state budget and ultimately all consumers. Is this the price we are willing to pay for cleaner energy? Could better planning have avoided such financial shocks?
EPCG claims that any deviations in costs will be carefully managed and the system will remain stable, but it is clear that citizens and businesses will feel the consequences.
Conclusion
The ecological reconstruction of Pljevlja Power Plant is an inevitable step towards modernization and environmental protection, but it forces us to face the brutal reality – millions spent on electricity imports and financial losses. Is this the start of a new energy crisis or just a painful transition? Only time will tell.
What do you think? Is this investment justified or are we heading for even more expensive energy? Drop a comment, spark a debate, or just share with your friends – energy for conversation is free, unlike electricity! 😉
