According to the previous statements from the Montenegrin Government, between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2019, the number of used operational hours amounts to a total of 13,809 hours, while the remaining unused working hours remain at 6,191. In this regard, EPCG in its investment plan for the period 2019-2023, recognized the environmentally-oriented reconstruction of the existing block of TPP Pljevlja as a priority project.
Non-governmental organization Green Home called on the Ministry of Economy and state-owned power utility EPCG to reveal information and present a plan for coal-fired thermal power plant Pljevlja after the expiration of its allowed operational hours, which will happen in less than 20 days.
The statement from the NGO said that, according to the calculations of the Energy Community from July this year, TPP Pljevlja will spend its allowed 20,000 operational hours in November, after which the plant must be closed. Its operation can continue only if it harmonizes with the standards and the Directive on industrial emissions for new power plants, which will not happen even with the planned reconstruction.
The Ministry of Economy should inform the public whether Montenegro really asked for an extension of TPP Pljevlja operational hours from the Energy Community and what is the outcome of such a request. The NGO further asks If the request will result in a negative answer, is there a plan in case of shutdown of TPP Pljevlja that will not be to the detriment of the citizens, in terms of increasing the price of imported electricity. Green Home stated that this is a critical moment for TPP Pljevlja to turn to a clean energy transition, in which more sustainable solutions for electricity production and heating of the city of Pljevlja can be found.
In June, EPCG signed a contract for the reconstruction of coal-based thermal power plant Pljevlja with a consortium led by Chinese Dongfang Electric Company (DEC). The deadline for the completion of works is 39 months for the date of signing the contract. The selected consortium offer to perform the reconstruction for around 54.4 million euros including VAT.
Project implementation is scheduled to take place in the period 2019-2021, after which the operation of TPP Pljevlja will be enabled to continue for at least 20 years. Reconstruction will assure compliance with the requirements and adherence to the strictest environmental protection parameters as envisaged under the latest EU Decision 2017/1442. The environmental reconstruction project includes the construction of the desulphurization system, denitrification system, enhancement of ESP operation as well as development of the waste water treatment system. Revitalization of Maljevac landfill valued at additional 20 million euros will take place concurrently. Close to 9 million euros was already spent on the project for revitalization of the landfill in the last year. The reclamation of the landfill will take place in stages between 2019 and 2023.
