The Montenegrin state-owned utility, EPCG, has finalized a comprehensive feasibility study that evaluates the potential for constructing gas-fired power plants at multiple sites across the country. The analysis identifies generation capacities ranging from 50 MW to 400 MW, with proposed locations including Bar, Podgorica, Pljevlja, and Niksic.
Conducted by SS&A Power Consultancy, the study concludes that all examined options are both technically feasible and financially viable. The estimated investment requirements for these projects range between €233 million and €362 million, depending on the size of the plant and specific gas supply arrangements.
EPCG has indicated that the next steps in the decision-making process will heavily rely on securing reliable, long-term gas supplies and aligning policy choices with the Government of Montenegro and the Ministry of Energy. These developments are linked to a recently signed memorandum of cooperation with Japan’s JERA, which includes plans for an LNG terminal and a gas-fired power plant in Montenegro.
The groundwork for this feasibility study was initiated in December 2021 when EPCG’s board approved a new investment initiative focused on gas-based generation. This initiative included developing technical solutions and preliminary assessments for various configurations such as a hybrid gas turbine plant of at least 50 MW near the Port of Bar, a combined-cycle gas plant of at least 150 MW near the KAP industrial complex in Podgorica, and a gas-fired facility of up to 200 MW in Pljevlja.
The study also evaluated plant sizes of 50, 75, 150, 200, and 400 MW across all proposed locations. EPCG confirmed that suitable land is available at each site, including sufficient space for installations up to 400 MW, even under air-cooling configurations that require larger footprints.
The technical concepts developed rely on advanced high-efficiency gas turbines. EPCG emphasized that access to natural gas is essential for any future development. The study assessed various supply pathways including potential offshore gas resources, imports via Serbia, LNG deliveries through the Port of Bar, and connections to the planned Adriatic–Ionian (IAP) gas pipeline.
Different supply scenarios were analyzed for each location, with all modeled configurations demonstrating economic viability under reference conditions. EPCG has stressed that any concrete actions toward introducing gas-fired generation in Montenegro will occur in close coordination with government authorities and strategic partners.
