From that number, two relate to the reconstruction of the existing plants, and one to the construction of small hydropower plants in the hydrotechnical systems.
"These three requirements are recognized by the Energy permits plan for 2018, while the remaining four are not, which means that no legal requirements for issuing the energy permit have been created," explained in the Ministry.
The plan for this year does not foresee the possibility to issue new energy permits for the construction of power plants for electricity production, except for the already submitted applications regarding solar power plants, the reconstruction of existing facilities and the valorization of hydropower systems energy potential. Such a decision was made due to exceeding the target of 33 percent in the production of electricity from renewable sources.
From 2010 to 2013, the Ministry of Economy issued seven energy licenses based on the applications submitted under the Law on Energetics approved in 2010, which led to the conclusion of concession contracts for the construction of seven small hydropower plants. From that number, two small hydropower plants in Andrijevica, "Bradavec" and "Pisevska rijeka" are already in function. The third small hydropower plant "Vrelo" also started to work in the Municipality of Bijelo Polje. In addition, electricity is currently being produced by nine small hydroelectric power plants. Among them are the plants in Berane "Bistrica", "Jezerstica", "Orah", "Rmus", "Spaljevici" and "Sekular", "Jara" and "Babino polje" in Plav, and in Bijelo polje in Majstorovina. The small hydropower plant "Bistrica" started with commercial production at the beginning of this year. As far as last year is concerned, the Ministry has received a request for the construction of a small hydroelectric power plant of 328 kilowatts. Requests for the reconstruction of small hydroelectric power plants "Glava Zete" and "Slap Zete" have been submitted, which would, after reconstruction, achieve a total power of 7,100 kilowatts. Keeping in mind the revision of the Energy Development Strategy of Montenegro until 2025, as well as the preparation of the Program for the Development and Use of Renewable Energy, the Ministry of Economy stopped the receipt of requests for the construction of energy facilities from seven years ago. However, due to the great interest, the Government mandated the Ministry to continue receiving the claims in 2014. According to this decision, 76 requests were submitted from 2014 to 2016. The construction of 52 small hydropower plants were involved, out of which 30 were issued as approvals of the energy license. Regarding the other requirements, 24 concerned the construction of solar power plants. Out of this number, 17 decisions on issuing an energy license were issued, five applicants withdrew, while two were rejected. However, 14 energy licenses for solar power plants are currently in process, as three energy licenses have expired.
Great interest in solar power plants
At the meetings that have been organized so far in the Ministry of Economy, and on the subject of renewable energy sources, it is concluded that there is a significant interest in the construction of solar power plants.
"So far, the Ministry has issued 15 licenses to build solar systems on roof structures, and most of them are in the construction phase," they said.
In the last year, the Ministry of Economy received nine applications for the issuance of energy permits for the construction of solar power stations with a total power of 5.3 megawatts. Also, two letters of intent for potential investors interested in the construction of solar power plants in the total of 2,315 megawatts were sent to the Ministry.
According to earlier announcements, in Možura, near Ulcinj, a solar power plant will be built, whose installed power will be 200-megawatt hours, with the possibility of expanding the area of the power plant of 300-megawatt hours. The value of this project is estimated at around 300 million euros.
Text by Dnevne novine, on May 7th, 2018, read more at CdM
