Montenegro building two solar plants at hydropower dams

Montenegro’s state power utility, Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG), is installing a 2.5 MW solar plant at the Slano hydropower dam near Nikšić, while a photovoltaic plant is also being installed at the Vrtac dam. The project marks yet another step towards increasing the share of renewable sources and strengthening Montenegro’s energy independence, said EPCG-Solar gradnja, a subsidiary of EPCG.

The project is implemented by EPCG-Solar gradnja, which specializes in the procurement, design, installation, and maintenance of photovoltaic systems. Both dams belong to hydropower plant Perućica.

The works at the Slano dam are challenging, as the solar panels are being installed on very steep terrain, according to Marina Jočić, president of the board of EPCG-Solar gradnja. She was speaking during a tour of the site with EPCG management, Speaker of the Parliament of Montenegro Andrija Mandić, and Mayor of Nikšić Marko Kovačević.

The total planned capacity of the Slano and Vrtac solar plants is 3.7 MW

According to earlier announcements, the total installed capacity of the Slano and Vrtac solar power plants will be 3.7 MW. Works on the Vrtac power plant are in the final phase, said Miro Vračar, head of production at EPCG.

EPCG also plans to build the country’s first floating solar power plant at the Slano reservoir. Late last year, the investment valued at EUR 60 million was listed as one of 15 priority infrastructure projects in Montenegro’s energy sector.

EPCG also plans a floating solar plant at the Slano reservoir

Solar power plants on dams are also being built in other countries in the region. In Slovenia, one such facility was put into operation in June, installed on the reservoir wall of the Avče pumped storage hydropower plant.

When it comes to floating solar, North Macedonia plans to integrate such facilities into the national irrigation network.