Montenegro

Montenegro has introduced a new measure to reduce value-added tax on PV systems with capacities up to 1 MW.

Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG), a utility in Montenegro, said that it has received about 14,000 requests to secure rebates covering up to 20% of rooftop PV system costs. The program is designed to facilitate the deployment of 70 MW of solar capacity.

Montenegro’s Investment and Development Fund (IRF) is granting low-interest loans for commercial PV projects and the government agency Eco Fund is awarding non-refundable rebates of up to €25,000 per project, depending on the size.

Although very limited in scale, the program is Montenegro’s first attempt to support rooftop PV.

The Finnish utility has switched on a 5 MW/6.2 MWh lithium-ion battery storage system at a hydropower plant in Sweden.

Montenegro’s Ministry of Economy said the consortium provided the best conditions for the number of newly created jobs and lease payment, and in terms of technical and financial ability to build the plant.

The interested developers are a consortium formed by Fortum and local utility EPCG; Malta-based IREDL; and a domestic group named Montesolar.

As a first step towards executing a 200 MW solar tender, the Montenegrin government has planned a public invitation to lease land owned by the state at the Briska Gora – Ulcinj Municipality, where the array is planned.

Noting that it is close to reaching its 33% renewable energy target, Montenegro’s Ministry of Economy has said it will not issue any more licenses for renewable energy projects. It has, however, launched the third phase of deployment of solar PV systems for un-electrified households in secluded mountainous areas.