Montenegro’s planned 100.8 MW Brajići wind farm will enter a full environmental impact assessment after the Environmental Protection Agency ruled that a more detailed review is required before the development can proceed. The decision sets out an additional formal step before the project advances.
The project company, Vjetroelektrana Budva, will need to prepare a comprehensive study. The study is set to cover existing environmental conditions, expected impacts, mitigation measures, operational monitoring, and procedures for potential accidents.
Public scrutiny and concerns raised by local opponents
The Brajići project has faced sustained opposition from local residents and environmental groups. Criticism has extended beyond conventional ecological concerns to possible effects on landscape, cultural heritage, archaeology, tourism, and recreational use of the area.
Some opponents have also raised questions about potential interference with aerial firefighting operations. The full EIA process is expected to create another formal stage for public participation and objections.
Development timeline and initial investment estimates
Brajići has been under development since at least 2020. In that year, a consortium led by Germany’s WDP signed a land lease agreement with the Montenegrin government.
At the time of the land lease signing, investment was estimated at around €101.3 million. The project’s progression now depends on completion of the full environmental impact assessment requirements.
Wind projects near sensitive areas face heightened review
The Brajići case reflects increasing tension surrounding wind development in Montenegro. The country has substantial renewable resource potential and needs additional domestic generation.
Projects located near tourism areas and sensitive landscapes are likely to face increasingly demanding environmental and social scrutiny as they move through assessment processes.
