PMQs - PM Krivokapić: New energy strategy is being drafted, which will give priority to renewable sources and gradually reduce CO2 emissions to zero

Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić, answering the question of Branko Radulović from the MP Group "Democratic Front – Movement for Changes", said that he agreed with the statement that by producing "green energy" they would go in the direction of dynamic and long-term economic growth and development of Montenegro.

It is clear that this Government is determined to base its development in the energy sector primarily on the construction of new energy facilities that use renewable energy sources. In this context, we are encouraged by the fact that in the first three months of the current year, the production of electricity from renewable sources is higher than the gross consumption in Montenegro. Since the construction of new capacities of HPP Komarnica, SPP Briska Gora, WPP Gvozd and WPP Brajići is expected in the next period, and a tender for SPP Velje brdo is being prepared, it is realistic to expect that energy will be the driving force of our development, said PM Krivokapić.

The Prime Minister said that the initiative of the Movement for Changes to make the energy sector of Montenegro with zero CO2 emissions by 2030, is completely in line with the policy of the European Union in that area.

Zero CO2 emissions are certainly something to strive for, given that the official energy and climate policy of the European Union is designed so that all plans and activities must be aimed at reducing carbon emissions until zero emissions are finally achieved. As a candidate country for membership, Montenegro has, among others, undertaken the obligation to harmonise its energy with the tendency to reduce and finally bring CO2 emissions to zero. Consequently, a new energy strategy is being drafted, which will give priority to renewable sources, which would gradually reduce CO2 emissions to zero, said the Prime Minister.

Krivokapić welcomed the initiative of the Movement for Changes, appreciating that it is both important and desirable from the aspect of the green economy, but that in the context of its full realisation within the specified deadline, we must be extremely careful with making promises.

We must say that shutting down TPP Pljevlja would mean that Montenegro must import a considerable amount of electricity. This would affect the growth of electricity prices for citizens and the economy by 20 to 25 percent, the loss of 1,200 jobs, the fall of the national GDP, the reduction of the state budget revenues, etc. Therefore, the basic question of CO2 emissions is - how to replace 225MW of energy from TPP Pljevlja in terms of energy, which, in addition to being stable energy, is necessary for the stability of the entire energy system, but also a basic CO2 emitter, said Prime Minister Krivokapić.

Krivokapić pointed out that the drafting of the National Energy and Climate Plan of Montenegro is underway, which will define the deadline for abolition of the coal sector, in accordance with the principle of fair transition.