TPP “PLJEVLJA“ – THE NEED AND STRONG SUPPORT OF THE SYSTEM

It has been a full 39 years since TPP "Pljevlja" contributes to the stable and reliable functioning of the electricity system of Montenegro. This has come to full expression in recent months, when, only thanks to the good production condition of Pljevlja thermal power plant, we manage to overcome the challenges of the current energy crisis and the exponential increase in electricity prices in the international market. Electricity from TPP "Pljevlja" these days covers as much as 60 percent of Montenegrin consumption and saves a million euros per day as much as we would have to set aside for the import of missing energy, in case the TPP goes out of the network, according to current market prices.

EPCG Chief Executive Officer - Nikola Rovčanin reminds that the price of electricity at the world stock exchange has reached an incredible 240 euros per megawatt-hour and that this is another fact that makes necessary and completely justified the decision of Elektroprivreda management team to enter the ecological reconstruction of the existing thermal power plant.

- If we take into account the high price of energy in the market and compare it with the production price of electricity from TPP "Pljevlja" it is not difficult to conclude how much this energy facility means for the stability of the Montenegrin power system, especially since, according to some economic analysts, there is a trend of further price growth. Only thanks to this huge price difference, for now, we manage to keep the current electricity prices in Montenegro and ensure regular supply of customers, because the level of accumulation of hydropower facilities from our production portfolio, as a result of a long dry period, is currently below the projected for this time of the year, Rovčanin pointed out.

EPCG Chief Executive Officer announces the imminent start of the project of ecological reconstruction of the Thermal Power Plant, considering that the preparations are being successfully completed, and it is not a problem, he says, that the reconstruction of the thermal block will cost 15 million Euro more.

With the ecological reconstruction, we will reach the percentage of efficiency required by the European Energy Community, which is not less than 31 percent, and reduce the emission of gases to the set values. We took everything into account and concluded that it is necessary to perform certain additional interventions at the boiler and ensure that the Thermal Power Plant continues to operate smoothly at least until 2035, and maybe even longer. Our professional team is bringing to an end all details related to the project, so I hope that the beginning of its realization will follow very soon. I must say that, in addition to all benefits in terms of decarbronisation, desulfurization, denatrification and improvement of the dedusting system, ecological reconstruction of the Thermal Power Plant will provide the time needed to build new, alternative sources of green energy, but also to resolve the future status of employees in the thermal energy complex who must not feel the negative consequences of energy transition. And not to forget the heating of Pljevlja and the creation of conditions for a healthier and more comfortable life for the citizens of Pljevlja, said Rovčanin.

The birthday of TPP "Pljevlja" is also an opportunity to promote the newly established foundation, which will bear the name of the recently deceased Director of that thermal power plant, Dobrilo Gačević, and which will be focused on helping and supporting young engineers.

- Dobrilo Gačević, with his professional contribution and as a man, deserved that such a foundation bears his name, and we, as the representatives of the company in which he spent his entire working life, are determined to contribute to the realization of the vision and mission of the Foundation. We want to preserve the memory of Dobrilo in such a way, but also to support young people who show the interest in education and professional realization in the companies of Montenegro energy system, concluded Nikola Rovčanin.

The first ignition of the boiler in TPP "Pljevlja" was done on October 21, 1982, and the first kilowatt hours of the electricity from the newly built thermal block to the power system of Montenegro were delivered a day later.