HPP PERUĆICA HAS MARKED 58 YEARS OF SUCCESSFUL OPERATION

On May 12th HPP Perućica marked 58 years of its existence and successful operation. First electricity volumes were delivered to the Montenegrin electric power system in 1960, and since the beginning of operation, our oldest large power plant has generated the total of 50.248.118 MWh. The year of 2010 was the record year, when HPP Perućica generated and supplied to the electric power system of Montenegro 1.434.895 MWh.

Successful generating results marked the beginning of 2018. Good hydrological conditions during the previous period, as well as an exceptional operating readiness of the plant represent the reason why HPP Perućica generated 670.000 MWh during January – April of this year, thus accomplishing 73% of the annual plan, which is even 53% more than the plan for the first four months. The year of 2018 could be record high year providing such generating trend continues.

An extensive and extremely demanding work on revitalization of equipment and plant facilities lies ahead the management and employees of HPP Perućica during the forthcoming four-year period, as well as ahead the management of EPCG Department for development and engineering, after almost six decades of exploitation. Also, conditions for extension of generating capacities should be created.

The project worth €6.3 million implies reconstruction of all seven generators as well as complete replacement of five step-up transformer areas. Implementation of this activity is going to result in extension of lifetime of HPP Perućica by another 15-20 years as well as in high operating readiness of generating capacities. Implementation of the second phase of modernization of this hydro power facility will start in parallel and conditions for installation of the 8th unit will be met.

Generators in HPP Perućica were commissioned parallel to construction of the plant, during three phases. The first two generators operate since 1960. Another three units were commissioned two years later, while 6th and 7th unit were commissioned in 1976.

HPP Perućica is situated in the northern part of Bjelopavlićka valley. It got its name after the spring of Perućica, which originates in its immediate vicinity. In order to generate electricity HPP Perućica utilizes water of the upper watercourse of Zeta River, i.e. water which runs its turbines from Nikšićko field at extremely favourable head on short distance. Reservoirs Krupac and Slano and Vrtac retention tank, having an installed capacity of 307 MW, are included in the system of HPP Perućica, and five small hydro-power plants constitute part of the system of HPP Perućica, which are located in Podgorica, Kolašin, Cetinje and Šavnik, with annual generation of near 6.000 MWh.