Members of the Montenegrin Parliament have voted for the country’s first law on the use of energy from renewable sources. Among the many innovations is an incentive system for investments in renewable energy.
The aim of the law is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and increase the production of energy from renewable sources, Energy Minister Saša Mujović said in the Montenegro parliament, local media reported.
He pointed out that the law is necessary to complete Chapter 15 of the negotiations on accession to the European Union. The deadline for adoption is December 31, 2022, the minister stressed. Mujović added that the Energy Community Secretariat had issued a positive opinion on the law.
It is noteworthy that the Ministry previously stated that the law fulfills the country’s obligations to the Energy Community regarding the transposition and implementation of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (2018/2001).
The aim of the law is to fulfil the obligations arising from EU accession
The minister now explained that the intention is to improve the environment so that Montenegro can meet its obligations on the way to the EU as quickly as possible. These consist of reducing CO2 emissions and increasing the production of renewable energy, he added.
Mujović said that the government must buy renewable electricity under the current incentive system. The state-owned energy company Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) has so far provided 85 percent of the funds, with the rest coming from citizens, he claimed.
The new incentive system will reduce citizens’ spending
According to Mujović, the law provides for a new incentive model based on market premiums.
He stressed that the government is no longer obliged to purchase renewable electricity, which significantly reduces costs for citizens. The energy is sold on the market, Mujović added.
The law also introduces auctions.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which advised the government, had previously stated that it expected the country to launch its first renewable energy auctions by 2025.
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