Montenegro has sufficient expert and scientific potential, which can help to move the energy sector forward more dynamically, particularly in the field of hydropower, and consideration should also be given to the idea of establishing an Energy Council.
This was announced at the opening of the 6th Meeting of the Montenegrin Committee of the International Council for Large Electric Grids (CG CO CIGRE).
President of the CIGRE Country Committee, Montenegro Milutin OstojićHe said that, in line with the objectives of CIGRE, the latest professional and scientific knowledge and experience in the fields of electricity generation, transmission, distribution and consumption, and environmental protection, will be presented to the specialist public during the 6th Consultation.
'Participants at the 6th Consultation will have the opportunity, in discussions held during the study committee sessions, to make their full contribution to solving current problems in the electricity sector in general, with a special focus on Montenegro and the future development of this sector,' said Ostojić.
He noted that there had been significant activity in Montenegro's electricity sector over the past two years.
'Here I am primarily referring to the successful laying of a submarine cable between Italy and Montenegro, which is expected to be commissioned in the coming days, the construction of a converter station and a 400/110/35 kV substation in Lastva, which are connected to the 2'215–400 kV "Lastva-Čevo", that is, the Lastva TS is connected to the 400 kV transmission line Podgorica – Trebinje 'on an input-output basis', Ostojić stated.
According to him, in the field of renewable energy sources, 'things have got moving from a standstill'.
In 2017, 26 wind turbines were commissioned at Krnovo, with a total installed capacity of 72 MW and a planned annual generation of 200 GWh. The initial experience of the Krnovo wind farm's operation is extremely favourable. In addition, the trial production of the Možura wind farm has begun," said Ostojić.
He assessed that with these projects, as well as some that are planned, Montenegro is becoming a significant energy hub.
Ostojić believes that Montenegro has sufficient expert and scientific potential which can help to, as he stated, move the energy sector forward more dynamically, 'especially in the field of utilising hydropower potential'.
Minister of Sustainable Development and Tourism, Paul RadulovićHe recalled that Montenegro has been a member of CIGRE for 11 years, stating that the association will celebrate its centenary in a couple of years' time.
I should remind you that in the 15th century, a state printing press existed in this small space. Unfortunately, we did not have the opportunity to keep up with technical and technological innovations, and just imagine what the CIGRE CG Committee would have looked like in 1921. Fortunately for us, today there are people who represent us there with dignity,' stated Radulović.
The Board of the Montenegrin Committee of CIGRE unanimously decided to award the Lifetime Achievement Award to the distinguished expert, Professor Emeritus of the ETF, former Dean of the University of Montenegro and former Minister of Education, Sreten Škuletić.
The representative of the CIGRE regional conference for Southeast Europe – SEERC and president of CIGRE Serbia, Nebojša Petrović, said that CIGRE, unlike other organisations, is a professional association where research institutions, academic institutions, the electrical industry and the electricity sector meet.
"Through that work, brochures, recommendations, technical solutions and analyses are produced," Petrović stated.
At the ceremonial opening, plaques were presented to the sponsors of the 6th CIGRE CG Committee Consultation: the Montenegrin Transmission System (CGES), the Montenegrin Distribution System (CEDIS) and Elektroprovreda Crne Gore.
On behalf of CGES, the plaque was received by Dragan Kujović, Executive Director
Three round tables are scheduled during the Consultation, the topics of which are 'European Standard EN 50341-1:2012 for the design and construction of overhead lines above 1 kV". A special round table will, as he stated, be dedicated to the Development Plans for Montenegro's energy sector.
At the study committees, 100 accepted papers will be announced, and the professional work of the 6th conference will be accompanied by business presentations and a technical exhibition by domestic and international companies, showcasing their latest achievements in fields related to the electricity sector.