Response to claims by URA’s Dejan Mijović regarding Block II of Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant: Talking nonsense again

Podgorica, Montenegro (1 October 2016) – Dejan Mijović from URA presented a series of incorrect claims in a programme piece entitled “Waiting for the Czech CEB, negotiations ongoing,” published in the daily newspaper Vijesti today, on page 5.

As usual, Mr Mijović is best refuted by the facts:

Mr Mijović has wrongfully claimed that “it is telling that after repeated public criticism, the Prime Minister and his associates have not done the maths and explained to the public why they are building a simple cheaper Thermal Plant that emits poisonous gasses, causing it to pay higher penalties, instead of building a somewhat more expensive but also more advanced one.” Quite the contrary. It has repeatedly been stated that Block II will have the power of no less 254 MW installed, with net efficiency of no less than 39.5%. The Czech-based Škoda Praha has made a commitment to complete the project of the Block II in the amount of 324.5 million EUR in accordance with the aligned EWA and EPC agreements (Early Works Agreement and the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Contract) and the specifications requested in the tender.

Moreover, Škoda Praha has committed itself to implementing a technological solution that would ensure the honouring of the guaranteed EU requirements for the PC coal burning technology in the Block II. The planned annual output is set to 1600-1700 GWh per year. They also plan to use the best available techniques (BAT), including all the cleaning measures for by-product gasses in accordance with the European legislation (Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (Integrated pollution prevention and control)): SO2 emissions: up to 150mg/nm3, NOx: up to 200 mg/nm3, dust: 10 mg/nm3. In addition, the Czech company has confirmed that their offer encompasses also the facilities for the selective catalytic reduction in case more rigorous international standard are adopted in the future.

In simpler terms: the construction of the Block II of the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant will twke place in accordance with the guaranteed requirements and standards of the EU for the PC technology and coal burning. Modern and best available technology (BAT) will be used, including the activities on gas purification in accordance with EU directives. Therefore, the ‘maths’ has been done in the areas of technology, environment, and financing.

As regards the citizens of Pljevlja, it is generally known that almost 70% of its inhabitants support the construction.

Mr Mijović’s claim that “the Prime Minister’s people have signed the contract” is the best illustrations of the truthfulness of all his statements so far. The EWA and the EPC were signed just three days ago, on 29 Septembe 2016, Škoda Praha’s chairman and deputy chairman of the Board of Directors Peter Bodnar and Martin Pohlodek, and EPCG’s Tonino Maglio. A video of the signing ceremony was broadcast on all relevant media outlets here and abroad, and is available on the Internet.

Mr Mijović has also incorrectly stated that A2A can sell its 41.7% of shared to “whomever.” Such a scenario would only be possible in case the solution remained in force that Mr Mijović and those who briefly sent him to EPCG supported, which was a solution of not signing the shareholders’ agreement with A2A. However, given that the State made suer intereste in EPCG are protected, it defined the pre-emption right in the agreement. This right remains in force even when the contract expires.

It can be concluded that Mr. Mijović’s claims have no factual ground, i.e. they are blatant fabrications and insinuations, as has thus far been the case with his claims on this topic. Nothing new. Talking nonsense again.

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY / GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO’S PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE