The Civic Movement URA has unveiled a Platform for Energy Development in Montenegro, designed to significantly bolster the economy, according to its representatives.
The Platform, a collaborative effort among leading experts from the energy sector, was introduced by the association MNE 4E in partnership with independent experts and professors from Montenegro and the wider region.
“In light of the lack of a clear national vision on critical energy and environmental issues, our specific proposals aim to contribute to Montenegro’s advancement in these vital areas,” emphasized the Civic Movement URA.
They presented 20 guiding principles of the platform, advocating for environmental stewardship and conservation, alongside enhanced energy efficiency to drive economic growth.
Key tenets of the platform include rejecting the sale of the Electric Power Company (EPCG), which is deemed essential for spearheading energy sector development, and resisting dependency on energy imports. The principles envision implementing Renewable Energy Sources (RES) projects, improving energy efficiency in production facilities, eco-friendly reconstruction of TPP Pljevlja by the end of the coming year, and modernizing its steam turbine plant.
Additionally, the principles advocate for integrating the power sector with heating and industrial sectors, optimizing coal mine operations, fostering collaboration with the NGO sector, adopting the National Energy and Climate Plan, instituting systematic oversight and coordination of energy company operations, monitoring the condition of EPCG’s production facilities, introducing algorithmic electricity trading, and exploring new project financing models.
Other principles include connecting with the EU electricity market, streamlining operations of EPCG-owned companies, investing in the transmission and distribution system, undertaking multi-sectoral environmental improvement initiatives in line with Montenegro’s EU accession, and leveraging energy storage technologies.
The association’s members include Martin Ćalasan, Ivan Šaranović, Zoran Šljukić, Brankica Mosurović, Goran Šućur, Željko Čvorović, Ana Zorić, Ratko Dubljević, Đorđe Garčević, Nikola Batrićević, and Danilo Damjanović.
“In the upcoming period, the MNE 4E association will organize round tables and panels to further refine the platform through insightful debates, thereby addressing and resolving energy and environmental challenges to facilitate Montenegro’s accelerated economic development,” concluded the Civic Movement URA press release.
