Electricity Network Expansion for the Development of New Renewable Energy Sources

While Montenegro has an abundance of hydro and wind power generation potential it still needs to import about 35% of the country's total energy consumption. One of the main constraints on the development and the use of these renewable energy sources (RES) is an insufficiently developed transmission network, which does not allow for significant amounts of new renewable electricity to be connected to the existing grid.

The WVBIF (EU) has provided a technical assistance grant to defray the costs of a feasibility study, including preliminary design, for the potential construction of a 110 kV overhead transmission line from Vilusi to Herceg Novi and of the associated 400/110/35 kV Brezna substation. Once built these investments would allow for the integration of renewable energy resources into the national grid, particularly wind, as well as for a better connection to the Trans-Balkan Corridor.

However, while the feasibility study and preliminary designs for the substation went ahead as due, it has been impossible to identify a suitable option for the electricity line, despite extensive iterations and consultations with local municipalities and the beneficiary/partner, because of potential implications on the environmentally sensitive areas in the region, including a potential Emerald zone. Consequently, while the study is now complete, the project is currently on hold.