The Electric Power Company of Montenegro (EPCG) has no problems with connections, and the compatibility of hydro and solar potential, from the technical, energy and meteorological aspects, is outstanding, announced the president of the EPCG Board of Directors, Milutin Đukanović.
At the panel “Response to the energy crisis in the region and the EU”, which was organized as part of the Energy Symposium EPCG NET 2023, and which was organized by Elektroprivreda Montenegro, he said that it is evident that anyone who takes into account the interests of the energy company, takes care of the country’s energy stability.
Essentially, the interests of the state are taken into account and its energy stability, economic, economic and social policy are not threatened… – stated Đukanović.
He said EPCG has no problems with connections and the compatibility of hydro and solar potential is excellent from a technical energy point of view, and even better from a meteorological point of view.
According to him, experts in energy companies previously “didn’t have enough courage to impose energy as an area of vital importance to politicians”.
I think this is a problem, because it is impossible that everyone was “sleeping” and that no energy facility was built for 40 years. I don’t think anything good about the previous regime, but no one can convince me that if someone from EPCG had gone the right way and strongly explained how important it was, they would have accepted it – believes Đukanović.
Đukanović said that “EPCG is capable at this moment to tackle new projects”. To be honest, sometimes I am convinced that it can, and sometimes not. What I know for sure is that it is ideal to measure the hydroelectric potential and energy infrastructure – said Đukaović.
He said that it is necessary to master the construction technologies and then, as he pointed out, there is no doubt that he will succeed in the implementation of the investment plan.
The representative of the Secretariat of the Energy Community, head of the electricity sector, Jasmina Trhulj, said that young people and the direction to solve the crisis are certainly important in this area.
That is why this panel should focus on the energy transition and I think that the energy crisis is behind us – said Trhulj.
She reminded that there is more and more talk about low prices and negative prices for certain hours and this is a key topic that everyone should deal with. We will have large fluctuations in prices, and that is a topic that is very important, and in this sense, I think that the package of measures that we adopted in December is in compliance with the study of the legal regulatory framework in order to address flexibility in the correct way and to achieve stable electricity prices – she said. is Trhulj
She also pointed out that the financial segment is very important when talking about the energy transition, and the EC donated one billion euros as an energy aid package for the countries of the Western Balkans.
The obligations of the countries are getting bigger and bigger, there is a lack of personnel and the Fund for a just transition, which is important for your region – said Trhulj and added that it is necessary to create a National Energy and Climate Plan.
Acting the director of Elektroprivreda Srbije, Miroslav Tomašević, in the first part of his address, reminded of the crisis they had in Serbia, but which, as he pointed out, they successfully passed.
I said that we went through a difficult period, which we overcame thanks to the engaged experts from the system, who were the only ones who could solve this problem. Of course, we had a mild winter and good hydrology – said Tomašević.
He pointed out that integration is important and that they are working on it. According to him, everyone is talking about a fair transition, which he sees only through a fair distribution of funds and with the help of Europe.
Blagoj Gajdardžiski, Director of Development and Investments of the North Macedonian Power Plant (ESM), answering the question whether the National Energy and Climate Plan, which they adopted, is too ambitious, said that this plan was adopted a few years ago, i.e. before the corona virus, the energy crisis and war in Ukraine. So the plans that were in it then are not in accordance with reality, to put it mildly, and it is necessary to revise that plan – said Gajdardziski.
He also pointed out that the stock market has opened in North Macedonia. We managed for our company, participating as the main holder on our stock exchange, to have a profit – added Gajdardziski.
The executive director for technical affairs of MH Elektroprivreda Republika Srpska (MHERS), Ivan Koprivica, when asked if the region has the capacity and knowledge to realize the energy transition, said that the big problem is the outflow of people from the region and that cooperation between the countries of the region is needed.
The Vice President of the International Sector of EDF, Yann Guinard, said that everyone had high prices on the energy market.
We had high prices, plus we were also affected by the drought, and the wind situation had a negative impact. However, all of this has led us to be more than cautious and strive for the integration of the European market – said Yann Guinard.
He said that countries should not rely on renewable, but on flexible sources. The Director of Electricity Production and Trade in Elektroprivreda Albania (KESH), Erald Elezi, said that the main obstacles faced by their energy companies are numerous and depend on various influencing factors.
According to him, France and its EU neighbors face different challenges. He said that the countries of the Western Balkans should unite in order to more easily overcome the existing challenges. He said that the attraction of private investors in Albania was organized by auctions, where they presented a good picture of renewable energy sources.
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