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Second phase of Gvozd wind farm gets green light from environment agency

The Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro has determined there is no need for an environmental impact assessment report for the second phase of the Gvozd wind farm, and allowed the project to proceed. It is for three additional wind turbines with a total capacity of 21 MW, bringing the wind farm’s overall capacity to 75.6 MW.

Within the same decision, the firm implementing the Gvozd 2 project is instructed to conduct a one-year survey of birds and bats at the project site by November 1, 2026, and to submit the findings to the Environmental Protection Agency, which reserves the right to order additional measures if necessary.

During construction, the project developers must take steps to reduce noise and use the existing road network to avoid the destruction of bird and bat habitats. It is also necessary to monitor bird nesting and take measures to protect nesting sites, while minimizing forest clearance and reducing the risk of vehicle collisions, according to the agency’s decision.

Special attention must be paid to bird and bat habitats

The second phase of the Gvozd wind farm project is financed by a EUR 25 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), signed with Montenegro’s state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG). Its subsidiary in charge of the project, Green Gvozd WPP Second Phase, is registered in Podgorica.

Once completed, Gvozd will be the largest of Montenegro’s three wind farms, with a capacity to generate over 210 GWh of electricity annually. It would be enough to supply around 36,000 households, with CO₂ emissions expected to be reduced by nearly 137,000 tons per year, EPCG said after signing the loan agreement.

The first phase should be completed by the end of this year, and the entire project before the end of 2026

The first phase of Gvozd will have eight wind turbines with a total capacity of 54.6 MW. Construction began in November 2024. EPCG expects the plant to be put into trial operation by the end of this year. Its annual electricity output is estimated at 150 GWh.

EBRD financed the first phase as well, with an EUR 82 million loan. Gvozd will be EPCG’s first large-scale power generation facility built in more than 40 years.

The EBRD previously announced that all 75.6 MW should be online before the end of 2026.

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Montenegro’s power utility gets EUR 25 million loan to expand Gvozd wind farm

Montenegrin state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) said it signed a EUR 25 million loan contract with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for expanding the Gvozd wind farm to 75.6 MW. Once fully operational, it will be the largest wind farm in Montenegro.

The Gvozd 2 project involves the installation of three additional wind turbines, with a combined capacity of 21 MW. It will increase the wind farm’s total projected annual production to over 210 GWh, enough to cover the needs of about 36,000 households and reduce CO2 emissions by almost 137,000 tons a year, EPCG said following the signing of the loan agreement.

The expansion project involves three additional wind turbines with a combined capacity of 21 MW

An EUR 82 million loan for the first, 54.6 MW phase of the wind farm, including the grid connection infrastructure, was signed with the EBRD in June 2023. Gvozd will be EPCG’s first large-scale power generation facility built in more than 40 years.

Construction on the first phase, featuring eight turbines, began in November 2024. EPCG expects the power plant to enter trial operation by the end of this year, with a projected annual electricity output of 150 GWh.

Construction on the first, 54.6 MW phase of wind farm Gvozd was launched in late 2024

Commissioning of the full 75 MW capacity is expected by the end of 2026, according to a press release from the EBRD.

A key step in Montenegro’s energy transition

Milutin Đukanović, President of EPCG’s Board of Directors, described the expansion of Gvozd as a key step in Montenegro’s energy transition. In the press release, EPCG stated that the wind park would significantly contribute to achieving the European goal to produce electricity exclusively from clean sources by 2050 at the latest.

Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović noted that the Gvozd project would strengthen Montenegro’s energy security, reduce CO2 emissions, and pave the way for sustainable development.

Francesco Corbo, the EBRD’s Regional Head of Energy for the Western Balkans and Croatia, recalled that the bank, through its Renewable Energy Market Accelerator (REMA) program, helped the Montenegrin authorities organize the country’s first renewable energy auction, for solar projects totaling 250 MW.

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Montenegrin power utility to borrow EUR 25.6 million for phase 2 of Gvozd wind farm

Montenegro’s state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) plans to take out a EUR 25.6 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to finance the second phase of the Gvozd wind farm project, with an installed capacity of 21 MW. The first phase of wind farm Gvozd, which is under construction, will have a capacity of 54.6 MW.

Announcing its request for government consent, EPCG stated that the capacity increase through the second phase of Gvozd would improve the security of electricity supply, increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix, and help Montenegro meet its international climate policy commitments.

EPCG previously announced that it expected the start of construction of the Gvozd 2 wind farm in early 2026.

The new document also states that EPCG has submitted a viability assessment of the Gvozd 1 and Gvozd 2 projects, prepared by German consultancy Fichtner GmbH & Co. KG for the purpose of securing financing from the EBRD.

The first phase of wind farm Gvozd will cost EUR 82 million

The first phase of the Gvozd wind farm, with eight turbines, is financed by an EUR 82 million loan from the EBRD. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in November 2024, and EPCG expects the power plant to enter trial operation by the end of this year. Its planned annual electricity output is 150 GWh.

A contract for the design, procurement, supply, and installation of equipment, as well as the commissioning and long-term maintenance of the future wind power plant, was signed with German company Nordex. EPCG said at the time that wind farm Gvozd would be its first large-scale power generation facility built in more than 40 years.

SCADA and ADMS will be introduced through a EUR 35 million project

In the announcement, EPCG also says it signed an agreement with the EBRD in January on financing a project to introduce the SCADA and ADMS systems into Montenegro’s power system. The implementation of SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) and ADMS (advanced distribution management system) is a key step towards modernizing the electricity distribution network, the document states.

SCADA enables remote control, monitoring, and automation of electricity distribution, while ADMS supports the integration of renewable energy sources. Together, these systems significantly improve the reliability, efficiency, and security of the power system, EPCG explains.