Successful implementation of the Project

Elektroprivreda Crne Gore initiated implementation of “Metering & Distribution Project” in December 2011. After two years, planned time schedule has been achieved and multifunctional meters have been installed at more than 150.000 customers, whereof 14.848 in the North, 80.423 in the Central region and 55.363 in the coastal municipalities. It has been planned for all of 175.000 meters to be installed by May 1st, 2014, and positive results arising out of this Project will probably lead to its extension and instalment of additional 80.000 new smart meters. We would like to remind that losses in the transformer areas where new meters have been installed by 100% are significantly lower comparing with the average in the last five years and amount to about 4%.  

“The Project of installation of new electronic meters for remote reading is of strategic importance for EPCG, because all benefits of introduction of that technologically modern concept, starting from improvement of the level of service for the consumers and reduction of losses on the network, will mark a turning point in operation of the distribution system. Implementation of this project will contribute to the transformation of the grid of EPCG into a modern, energy efficient one, fulfilling all necessary conditions for current measuring of consumption”, Executive director of EPCG, Stefano Pastori, said.

The total estimated value of the project is 43.5 million €, whereof 35 million euros has been financed from the loan of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. In May 2014, nearly half of EPCG customers will be included in the system of remote reading and managing of the tariff meters. That will represent a solid basis for introduction of new services which are offered by this advanced technology and development of so called “smart grids”.

“I am delighted to be invited here today to acknowledge one of the most successful EBRD investments that put Montenegro in a leadership role not only in the Western Balkans but also in Europe. When EBRD entered into discussion with EPCG in 2009/2010, one of the major challenges faced by the energy sector in Montenegro was the high level of losses and bad debts in the distribution network. Today I can proudly say, the results achieved so far exceeded our expectations and thanks to very efficient and well organized EPCG implementation program carried out by the new management of EPCG, the overall distribution metrics are confidently approaching best international practices“, Mr Giulio Moreno said, emphasizing EBRD's willingness to extend the support for installation of additional meters.

In addition to EBRD, EPCG had partners in the project implementation. The Italian company ENEL DISTRIBUZIONE, consortium of the German Regiocom, Polish SAKSPOL and Montenegrin MEZON, consortium of CESI and SEEC, as well as the Italian company E-utile took part in this successful cooperation. “Within the project for enhancement of the distribution metering system, Regiocom-Sakspol-Mezon consortium has been tasked with manufacturing and installation of distribution meter cabinets and auxiliary materials, as well as with activities performed on customers’ facilities, and all the parties involved in realization of this investment can be proud of the achieved results. For Mezon, as a small Montenegrin company, this project represents both a paramount task and an outstanding responsibility. In order to ensure successful project implementation, Mezon almost tripled the number of employees which currently amounts to 115, engaged 21 subcontractors with cca 180 employees, which means that cca 300 employees from all parts of Montenegro are engaged in project implementation every day”, Mr Rajo Kovačević, director of Mezon Company said.