Montenegro has officially commenced the national study titled “Montenegro Energy Growth and Acceleration” (MEGA), aimed at identifying locations with high development potential for solar and wind energy while minimizing ecological and social conflicts.
This study is crucial for speeding up the transition to renewable energy sources and supporting the decarbonization of the energy sector. The MEGA study will be conducted by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Eko-tim in collaboration with Montenegro’s Ministry of Energy, which will coordinate the study’s development and provide institutional support.
According to a joint statement from the three parties, the national project will utilize internationally recognized “smart siting” methodology developed by TNC. This approach will help identify areas suitable for solar and wind installations that do not conflict with significant natural, cultural, historical or socio-economic values, or where any such conflicts are minimal.
The project builds on a pilot study conducted in Nikšić, which demonstrated that it is possible to generate enough energy in one municipality to supply around 200,000 households in Montenegro while minimizing impacts on the environment and local communities.
The project’s launch was formalized at a meeting of the Advisory Committee, supported by the Ministry of Energy and the Montenegro Investment Agency. This committee includes representatives from relevant national, regional, and international institutions in energy, spatial planning, environmental protection, and finance, who will provide guidance to ensure the study’s findings are integrated into national policies.
As a biodiversity hotspot, Montenegro has set an ambitious goal of achieving a 50% share of renewable energy in total final energy consumption by 2030. This necessitates enhancing capacities for solar and wind energy while preserving natural and social values.
Similar analyses conducted by TNC in other countries in the region, the MEGA study will allow Montenegro to identify areas for accelerated development of renewable energy sources (known as RAAs), in line with the new European Directive on renewable energy. Following the transposition of this Directive by the Energy Community, the obligation to establish RAAs will also apply to Montenegro.
The study will engage external experts as well as specialists from relevant state institutions and companies, including the Agency for Environmental Protection, ministries of spatial planning, urbanism, state property, agriculture, forestry, water management and the Montenegrin Electricity Transmission System (CGES).
Biljana Ivanović, State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, highlighted Montenegro’s commitment to achieving energy and climate goals while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. “The national study will help us strategically plan for a diversified electricity production that is both ecologically and economically sustainable, serving as a mechanism to reach our targets by 2050 in terms of the country’s contribution to climate neutrality,” she said.
Igor Vejnović, Program Director for Southeast Europe at TNC, noted that TNC’s experience with smart mapping indicates that the development of renewable energy can align with the conservation of nature and the needs of local communities. “This methodology aids in identifying areas that support sustainable development and accelerate investments. The potential for generating electricity from solar and wind in Montenegro is significant. The approach we will take in developing the MEGA national study will allow us to precisely identify the megawatt potential of renewable energy sources and pinpoint the optimal locations for building power plants without infringing on anyone’s rights,” Vejnović stated.
He expressed confidence that this initiative represents the right path for supporting Montenegro in its complex energy transition process.
Milija Čabarkapa, Executive Director of Eko-tim, emphasized the importance of the national study in mapping low-conflict locations for solar and wind energy. “The decarbonization process is not just an energy issue; it also has social and ecological dimensions. We believe that through this approach, we will achieve tangible results that will assist Montenegro in decarbonizing its energy sector while minimizing impacts on nature and communities,” Čabarkapa concluded.
