Montenegro has officially launched its inaugural landfill gas power plant at the Mozura municipal waste site, located near Bar. This facility, valued at approximately €1.8 million, marks a significant step in the country’s efforts to generate electricity from waste while mitigating environmental impacts. As the first of its kind in Montenegro and the broader region, the plant aims to transform landfill gas from a pollutant into a viable energy resource.
Having successfully completed trial operations, the power plant has received all necessary approvals from the Montenegrin electricity distribution system. It is set to enter full commercial operation shortly, contributing stable electricity to the national grid while enhancing management of landfill gas emissions.
The facility operates by capturing gas produced from the decomposition of waste within sanitary landfill cells through an extensive network of wells and pipelines. This captured gas powers a gas engine and generator utilizing advanced Jenbacher technology. With an installed capacity of 0.99 MW, the plant is expected to function approximately 95 percent of the year, translating to around 8,350 operational hours and generating an estimated 7.5 GWh of electricity annually. A feasibility study conducted in 2022 confirmed that the landfill gas is composed of roughly 50% methane, making it suitable for long-term energy production. The efficient collection system is designed to capture about half of the generated gas, with production anticipated to continue for up to 30 years post-landfill closure.
From an environmental standpoint, this project plays a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by capturing methane rather than allowing it to escape into the atmosphere. The climate advantages of this initiative earned it recognition as the top project in the Energy Scouts program organized by the Chambers of Commerce of Montenegro and Germany, with a presentation held in Berlin last year.
Financial assessments indicate that the project has a payback period ranging from five to six years, which is competitive for infrastructure projects of this nature. The final phase of implementation includes installing a SCADA system to improve monitoring and operational control capabilities.
The financing for this project was primarily provided by the Mozura landfill operator, supplemented by support from Montenegro’s Eko Fund for documentation and environmental evaluations. Additionally, a Slovenian partner, CMSR, contributed approximately €630,000 in grant funding towards construction efforts.
