The Ministry of Mining, Oil and Gas has announced plans to construct an LNG terminal in Bar as part of the Adriatic-Ionian gas pipeline, which will link Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro through a hub in Albania. While the Ministry emphasizes potential benefits, including economic growth, enhanced stability in electricity supply and geopolitical advantages, CEE Bankwatch regards the project as both environmentally and economically risky, despite its classification as a strategic initiative.
Nataša Kovačević from CEE Bankwatch highlights that this project overlooks commitments made under the Paris Agreement and the Sofia Declaration to eliminate fossil fuels by 2025. She notes that Montenegro lacks a developed gas infrastructure and is not reliant on gas, which could be advantageous during a global energy crisis, especially given that some major gas-exporting countries, like Azerbaijan, are perceived as undemocratic regimes. Furthermore, the project would require substantial financial investment, potentially leading to long-term debt issues.
Kovačević also underscores that Europe is actively working to reduce gas dependency, aiming for a 67% decrease in fossil fuel use, which renders the Ministry’s intentions questionable and risky. She raises concerns about safety, as the Bar terminal would be built in a seismically active area near populated regions and hazardous materials. Introducing gas into Montenegro’s energy market without a well-established consumption framework raises both risks and economic uncertainties.
In light of these concerns, CEE Bankwatch urges authorities to prioritize sustainable renewable energy sources—such as solar, hydro and wind—that are plentiful and more economically viable in the long run.
