March 13, 2026

by AEA in News

Slovenia Bolsters Energy Transition with €174 Million Grid Investments

Slovenia has taken a decisive step toward a decarbonized future, announcing a €174 million investment package dedicated to the comprehensive modernization of its national power transmission and distribution networks. This strategic initiative aims to bolster grid capacity, enhance supply reliability, and—most critically—facilitate the rapid integration of renewable energy sources into the national mix.

The project is supported by €59 million in co-funding from the European Union’s Modernisation Fund, a financial instrument fueled by the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) designed to assist member states in meeting climate targets.

A Foundation for the Green Transition

Minister of the Environment, Climate and Energy, Bojan Kumer, formalized the initiative by signing four contracts and two strategic decisions with the CEOs of Slovenia’s six state-owned energy entities. The group includes the transmission system operator (TSO) ELES and five distribution system operators (DSOs).

“The energy transition actually begins with the grid,” Minister Kumer noted during the signing ceremony. “A strong, resilient network is the bedrock upon which our future energy autonomy and sustainability are built.”

Key Projects and Financial Breakdown

The modernization efforts are distributed across the country’s regional operators, focusing on infrastructure upgrades, digitalization, and increased transformer capacity.

Operator	Project Focus	Total Investment	EU Support
Elektro Ljubljana	Urban network upgrades, cabling, and digitalization	€53.2 Million	€19.6 Million
Elektro Gorenjska	Upgrading Trata and Brnik substations	€32.9 Million	€14.9 Million
Elektro Maribor	New 110 kV line (Murska Sobota – Lendava)	€32.3 Million	€11.1 Million
ELES (TSO)	Upgrading 110 kV line (Dravograd–Velenje)	€12.9 Million	€5.7 Million
Elektro Celje	Switchgear refurbishment & transformer replacement	€11.0 Million	€5.5 Million
Elektro Primorska	Reconstruction of Vrtojba substation switchgear	€3.5 Million	€1.7 Million

The 2030 Vision: Scaling Smart Infrastructure

This current wave of investment is only the beginning of a broader strategic roadmap. Slovenia has secured over €300 million from the Modernisation Fund to be utilized through 2030, specifically earmarked for grid refurbishment, energy efficiency, and renewable deployments.

The Ministry is already preparing a subsequent public call, expected in April, which will allocate €69 million for smart electricity grid investments between 2026 and 2030. These funds will prioritize three pillars:

Renewables Development: Strengthening the grid to handle intermittent wind and solar inputs.
Electrification of Heating: Supporting the transition away from fossil-fuel boilers to heat pumps.
E-Mobility: Building the infrastructure necessary for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

By reinforcing its electrical backbone today, Slovenia is ensuring that its infrastructure can meet the demands of a more electrified and sustainable tomorrow.

December 2, 2025

by AEA in News

Energy Community calls for nominations of PECI energy infrastructure projects

Developers of cross-border energy infrastructure investments within the Energy Community or internal ones with significant cross-border dimensions can nominate them by January 19 within the selection process for projects of Energy Community Interest (PECI). In line with the Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E) regulation, the mechanism is for electricity transmission and energy storage including protection, monitoring and control systems, together with smart power and gas grids, hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

The Energy Community Secretariat opened a call for promotors to submit their projects for evaluation within the 2026 PECI selection. EU regulation 2022/869 – revised TEN-E, which the Energy Community Ministerial Council adopted as 2023/02/MC-EnC, stipulates the approval of the second list of projects of Energy Community Interest (PECI) by December 31, 2026.

Nominations are received until January 19. The proposals concern the electricity and gas sectors.

In the first group are high- and extra-high-voltage overhead transmission lines and underground and submarine transmission cables. It includes equipment and installations for offshore renewable electricity.

Eligible electricity segment investments are also for energy storage, as well as protection, monitoring and control systems for all of the above and at all voltage levels.

Projects for smart power and gas grids are both in the scope of the PECI selection process. Hydrogen-based technologies, electrolyzers and CO2 projects are within the gas infrastructure list as well, the call reads.

PECIs are for cross-border energy infrastructure within the Energy Community or internal endeavors with significant cross-border dimensions.

Proposal forms are available at the call’s webpage.

Ministries, regulatory authorities and transmission system operators will be among the institutions evaluating nominated projects. The group also consists of the European Commission, Energy Community Secretariat, Energy Community Regulatory Board, the ECDSO-E entity of Energy Community distribution system operators, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) and European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG).

The Energy Community comprises the Western Balkans, Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine.

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October 15, 2025

by AEA in News

Šahmanović: Second submarine cable line with Italy to be installed by 2031

The second line of the submarine cable connecting Montenegro and Italy is expected to be completed by 2031, Montenegro’s Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović said at the European Union – Montenegro Investment Conference.

The two-day conference, titled Smart Growth, Green Future: Accelerating Investment in Montenegro, was opened yesterday in Luštica, near Tivat, by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Spajić.

Fourteen cooperation projects between Montenegrin and European companies have been initiated at the conference, including investments in wind farms, solar parks, energy storage, and grids. It shows the great significance of the energy sector for investments.

A panel called Renewables: Scaling Montenegro’s Energy Transition examined the possibilities for accelerating the country’s energy transition and enhancing the sector’s attractiveness for investment in renewables.

Šahmanović: Montenegro strives to position green energy as an export product

Prominent international experts and investors took part in the discussion. Representing the Government of Montenegro, Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović outlined the country’s renewable energy priorities and highlighted Montenegro’s role as a regional leader in clean energy.

Montenegro has fully harmonized its legislation with EU standards, creating a stable and predictable investment environment, in his words. Šahmanović highlighted the launch of the first solar power auction as a significant step forward in the development of renewables.

Photo: Đorđe Cmiljanić/Government of Montenegro

“The government invests in battery energy storage systems (BESS), ensuring the flexibility and stability of the grid. Montenegro strives to position green energy as a recognizable export product, thereby strengthening the country’s economic sustainability,” Šahmanović stated.

He revealed that Montenegro is about to sign a memorandum of understanding with Italy that would additionally position Montenegro as an energy bridge between the Western Balkans and the EU.

Montenegro is looking for strategic partners and investors ready to jointly implement capital projects in the energy sector

The government is wrapping up the work concerning the oil and gas sector to close chapter 15 in its accession negotiations with the EU, further strengthening investor trust, Šahmanović said.

“The implementation of the project for the construction of the second phase of the subsea cable link with Italy is expected by 2031, which will further strengthen Montenegro’s role in regional and European energy connectivity. Montenegro is looking for strategic partners and investors ready to jointly materialize capital projects in energy and contribute to regional energy stability,” the minister underlined. The investment is estimated at EUR 500 million, he asserted.

In a message to investors, Šahmanović said Montenegro is open for investments and added: “Now is the time for you to invest. We will be your service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Participants at the panel included Daniel Calderon, Alcazar Energy Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Yann Guinard, EDF Director of Development for Europe, Louis Blanchard, Qair Energy President, and Nemanja Mikać, ElevenEs CEO.

Memorandum with EDF

Admir Šahmanović and Yann Guinard (photo: Ministry of Energy and Mining)

Within the conference, the Ministry of Energy and Mining of Montenegro and EDF International Networks signed a memorandum of understanding. It establishes a framework for future cooperation on modernizing the distribution network, digitizing smart grids, and integrating renewable energy sources, according to the ministry.

The memorandum foresees the implementation of pilot projects and feasibility studies that will contribute to the acceleration of the energy transition of Montenegro.

Admir Šahmanović said the deal is an important step towards strengthening green and innovative energy projects. Cooperation with EDF confirms the position of Montenegro as a country with a clear vision and open opportunities for investors, he underscored.

“EDF International Networks, as part of the global EDF Group, brings international expertise in the sector of power distribution, grid upgrade and digital transformation, which opens up space for new strategic partnerships and capital infrastructure projects,” the minister pointed out.

The memorandum confirmed the joint commitment to sustainability, integrity and energy security, with a clear focus on the well-being of citizens and the economy of Montenegro, the ministry said.

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September 10, 2025

by AEA in News

Croatia installs one million smart meters, Serbia reaches 650,000

Croatia has so far installed one million smart meters, while Serbia has reached 650,000. They make up 40% of all power metering devices in Croatia, compared to a 17% level in Serbia.

Digital or smart meters offer numerous advantages for consumers and distribution system operators (DSOs). The devices are a cornerstone of future distribution networks – smart grids that will allow consumers, including many prosumers, to both draw electricity from the network and inject it. Smart grids also enable consumers to provide various flexibility and demand response services.

The smart meters rollout in Croatia is being implemented across the country, with about 40,000 new devices installed per month. Croatia’s DSO HEP-Operator Distribucijskog Sustava (HEP ODS), a subsidiary of state-owned power utility Hrvatska Elektroprivreda (HEP), has previously announced that it intends to replace all 2.5 million devices by the end of 2029.

Nearly all users in the business category have received new devices

Installation of new meters is completely free of charge for customers. It takes about twenty minutes. HEP underlined that smart meters offer a range of benefits – enabling simpler and remote reading of consumption, more precise consumption management, better planning, and savings.

Danijela Žaja, chief of the metering and market support sector of HEP ODS, told RTL that more than one million smart meters have been installed so far for households and firms. In the business category, almost all meters have already been replaced, she said, Poslovni Dnevnik reported.

In her words, new devices help consumption management.

Serbia is financing new meters with loans

According to Ana Pavlović, head of the electricity markets support sector of neighboring Serbia’s DSO Elektrodistribucija Srbije (EDS), so far the company has installed almost 650,000 smart meters.

EDS plans to set up another 200,000 units in the next round, financed by a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), she said at a conference organized by Energija Balkana.

Out of the 200,000 meters, the cities of Čačak and Kraljevo are earmarked for 30,000 each, and 140,000 are for consumers in Niš. The next project is the installation of 400,000 smart meters, to be financed by a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Niš will be one of the first cities in Serbia to be almost entirely covered by smart meters, Pavlović stressed, as quoted by Tanjug.

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April 6, 2025

by AEA in News

Montenegro adopts new energy law

Montenegro has adopted a new law on energy, which will allow citizens to become active participants in the electricity market and establish energy communities. The new law will also accelerate digitalization and the development of smart grids and flexibility services.

The Law on Energy represents a modern, European framework for a sustainable energy future, according to the Ministry of Energy.

The law brings a series of systemic innovations, including strengthening the position of consumers through greater transparency and protection of their rights.

Citizens are getting the opportunity to become active participants in the electricity market by producing, storing, and selling energy, the ministry said.

The law introduces citizens’ energy communities

The document also defines the concept of energy poverty and ways to reduce it, in line with European priorities of social justice.

The law supports the digitalization of the electricity system and the development of smart grids and flexibility services, enabling more efficient use of the electricity infrastructure, the ministry noted.

It introduces the energy community of citizens to strengthen local energy resilience. The law also creates conditions for dynamic electricity tariffs, as well as tools for comparing offers and consumption management.

Admir Šahmanović, Minister of Mining, Oil and Gas, said that the adoption of the law is not just the fulfillment of international obligations.

Šahmanović: We are introducing a new vision for Montenegro’s development as a modern, energy-efficient, and competitive country

“This is a law that introduces European standards into our legislation, creates conditions for new investments, safeguards citizens, and encourages innovation, digitization, and sustainability, but also guarantees the security of supply and a fair energy transition for everyone,” Šahmanović stressed.

In his words, the law introduces a new vision for the development of Montenegro as a modern, energy-efficient, and competitive country.

Of note, Šahmanović is also the coordinator of the Ministry of Energy. Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Milojko Spajić nominated him for the position of Minister of Mining and Energy.

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