Montenegro’s Perucica hydropower plant has returned to its full 307 MW capacity following the completion of the final stage of its annual overhaul by state utility EPCG. The plant’s restoration follows maintenance work carried out across multiple generating units and associated equipment.
Partial restart in early September
The plant partially came back to the grid in early September, with 190 MW available. EPCG shortened the full shutdown after the Pljevlja thermal power plant went offline and Montenegro’s electricity system required additional domestic generation.
Work then continued on remaining equipment while the partial output supported system needs. Maintenance efforts focused on the second penstock and repairs to the needle-valve servomotor on generating unit A4.
Refilling tests and clearance for full operation
After the penstock was refilled and successfully tested, units A3, A4 and A5 were cleared for operation. This sequence restored Perucica’s entire installed capacity.
Perucica is described as one of Montenegro’s most important generating assets, supporting domestic demand coverage and providing operational flexibility. Its return also affects how much the country relies on imported electricity when regional prices remain volatile and Pljevlja’s availability is critical to the national balance.
Generation linked to reservoir and inflows
Hydropower output remains dependent on reservoir and inflow conditions, so nominal availability does not automatically translate into maximum generation. Even with the overhaul completed, EPCG has additional room to manage the system.
For Montenegro, the timing of restored capacity is tied to exposure to imported electricity when regional spreads move against the country, with each megawatt restored at Perucica reducing that exposure.
