Solar power plant in Briska Gora will be one of the biggest in Europe. Implementation of this project envisages €200 million worth investment, and is expected to employ 226 persons, said in the interview for CdM portal Minister of Economy, Ms Dragica Sekulić. She says that Government’s focus in recent period has been in the development of the environment which would stimulate investors to invest in renewable energy resources. Minister says that the procedure for the conclusion of the agreement with the first-ranked bidder for the ecological reconstruction of Thermal Power Plant in Pljevlja is underway.
CdM: How much money has been invested in renewable energy sources? What projects have been implemented?
Ms Sekulić: The Government has been focused on developing environment which would stimulate investors to invest in renewable energy sources. Some renowned European investors, such as Akuo and Enemalta, have invested in our renewable energy sources. Another indicator of great business environment is the agreement for the construction of solar power plant. Also, WPD, German company, one of the leaders in the construction of wind farms in Europe, has expressed interest in the construction of a wind farm in Brajići. I’d like to point out the interest Austrian company Ivica shows in building Gvozd wind farm .
Apart from the results in the development of business environment, Government had direct investment in renewable energy, mostly through EPCG. EPCG has invested €3,5 million in the reconstruction of “Glava Zete” hydro power plant and increased its installed capacity from 4,4 MW to 5,6 MW. EPCG invested €3,3, million in the reconstruction of mini hydro power plant “Slap Zete” and increased its installed capacity from 1,2 MW to 1,7 MW.
CdM: In May this year, Montenegro joined the group of states that have produced all the necessary electricity from renewable energy sources during a specific period of time. What does this tell us?
Ms Sekulić: That’s correct, Montenegro has met all its electricity needs using renewable energy, without a single gram of greenhouse gas emission. However, there’s still much to be done in the transition to clean energy resources, but this phenomenon confirms tow important facts:
Firstly, investment in the establishment of new renewable energy sources started to produce results. In the last three years, installed production capacity in Montenegro has increased by over 10%. Maintenance of the existing plants is at high level, every favorable hydrological circumstance and every wind are used efficiently.
The second important fact is that we can now supply our consumers with energy without fossil fuels. In the world of fight against global climate change, this confirms that ecologically acceptable solutions are within a hand’s reach.
CdM: Are renewable energy sources one of our greatest development potentials and why?
Ms Sekulić: This question should be approached carefully and we should corroborate it with facts. When it comes to natural potentials – everything’s pretty obvious. With approximately 2500 sunny hours per year, Podgorica is one of the sunniest capitals in Europe. We’ve learned that a place with the greatest amount of falls in the former Yugoslavia is in Montenegro. If we add characteristics of the terrain, it is clear that we have got exceptional solar, hydro energy and wind potential.
Important factor is also the fact that the price of specific technologies has plunged recently. The combination of circumstances has led to taking some concrete steps in the construction of one of the biggest solar power plants in this part of the world, two new wind farms and initiation of Komarnica project.
CdM: When is Brajići wind farm expected to be finished? How important is it for the energy system?
Ms Sekulić: Brajići wind farm will step up installed capacity of Montenegro’s production by 10%. That reflects its importance. Another important thing is that this is another project which will be implemented without any financial stimuli.
Such resources definitely open new challenges for the energy sector. Putting this wind farm into function will require additional efforts of the operational staff, it will require additional resources for balancing the system, improvement of practice and many other changes. All these changes are positive.
It is very important to get something straight – new solar and wind plants do not bring the value of our high-quality hydro potentials into question in any way. On the contrary, they highlight the need for them.
CdM: When are the works on the construction of solar power plant in Briska Gora expected to start? What’s the value of this project?
Ms Sekulić: This great project envisages around €200 million. It is expected to provide 226 people with permanent jobs. The effects of the implementation might not be visible to citizens straight away. The reason is that at the very beginning of the project, there are numerous preparations activities.
They include the following:
- Implementation of activities aimed at the establishment of project company in charge of the implementation of the whole project. The registration of this company is expected soon, as it is of crucial importance for the further development of the project.
- Preparation of spatial documentation.
- Intense cooperation between technical persons and investors and Montenegrin electricity transmission system in finding optimal technical solution for connecting solar power plant to the transmission system and the necessary infrastructure which will be intended not only for taking over produced energy but also for providing more stable and safer supply.
CdM: When is the ecological reconstruction of Thermal Power Plant Pljevlja going to be implemented?
Ms Sekulić: The procedure for the conclusion of the agreement with the bidder is underway. The project will be carried out in phases. Heat for the town will be provided first and then, in the next two years, equipment for the desulphurization and denitrification will be installed.
Miraš Dušević
