WITHIN SOLARI 3000+ AND SOLARI 500+ PROJECT, CITIZENS PRODUCE ELECTRICITY THEMSELVES

The Solari 3000+ and Solari 500+ project, worth 30 million euros, represents the beginning of an energy transition in Montenegro and one of the most significant investments in the energy sector in the last 40 years. The goal of the project is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to a minimum and preserve the environment through energy transition and the installation of photovoltaic systems in households and businesses.

The President of SOLARI 3000+ and 500+ Project Board and the President of the Board of Directors of EPCG, Milutin Đukanović, emphasized that all are the winners in this project.

"The first winners are the citizens of Montenegro, the second winner is EPCG and in the final the winner is the complete economic system. You are witnessing a strong environmental campaign all over the world, especially in Europe. We, as a generation, are obliged to leave to our descendants a better environment than we found it to be. “That energy transition provided a chance for Montenegro to make a significant step forward in preserving the environment, growing the economy, and reducing the costs of electricity for the citizens," Đukanovic pointed out.

He explained that the essence of the SOLARI 3000+ and SOLARI 500+ project is reflected in the fact that photovoltaic systems with a power of 3, 5, 7, or 10 kW will be installed to citizens living in individual housing facilities.

"Which installation will be applied depends on the average consumption of the citizen." EPCG provided a loan for citizens and the purchase of complete equipment. The essence is that the credit obligation for the repayment of equipment, as well as electricity, will be less than the average electricity bill until then. After the repayment of the equipment, the citizens will receive electricity free of charge, and until then, the total costs for the equipment and electricity will be lower than their average electricity bill, “said Djukanovic.

He pointed out that EPCG founded a company and is its owner, stating that a job posting was announced for 45 workers, stating that it will employ over 400 people in the next period.

The Chief Executive Officer of EPCG, Nikola Rovčanin, pointed out that SOLARI 3000+ and SOLARI 500+ project are in step with this moment in time, side by side with modern Europe, and that they are in step with the needs of the energy sector, not only in Montenegro but also in the world.

"We want to move things forward. This is one in a chain of projects that meet the needs of the energy system of Montenegro. Bringing citizens into a position to produce their own electricity is a great success. And not only that. "From the aspect of preserving the environment and from the aspect of social moment and economy, citizens will be able to pay a significantly lower bill or have their electricity completely free of charge, and to sell surplus products to the network, and to take deficits from the network during the winter season" said Rovčanin.

He said that this is just the beginning and that the project will not stop at 3000+, stating that it will continue with 10000+ in the next period, having in mind the interest of the citizens.

"We are expecting an energy revolution. The very idea of this project represents the beginning of the energy revolution in Montenegro. Unlike all other projects initiated by the state towards citizens, this project also includes complete logistical support when it comes to documentation. "We have extended a hand to the citizens, they have no interest burden, they have the possibility of long-term repayment, they have a subsidy of 20 percent, they are in a situation to produce their own energy and protect the environment by installing solar power plants," Rovčanin said.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Fund (Eco-fund), Drasko Boljevic, said that the amount of the subsidy for citizens would be 20%, explaining that the money would be provided for each beneficiary who would meet the conditions to participate in the project.

"We consider this project crucial and epochal for further development, realization of the mission and vision of the Eco Fund," said Boljević.

Citizens/companies of Montenegro who buy electricity for their own consumption have the right to participate in the Project, and customers who are owners of an individual / business facility built in accordance with the regulations governing the construction of facilities, who regularly pay their electricity bills and monthly instalments for debt repayment, if the end customer has agreed to repay the debt in instalments, whose roof area on the building is not in the shadow of other neighbouring buildings, trees or something else.

Project manager Bojan Đordan said that SOLARI 3000+ and SOLARI 500+ project have a significant technical advantage over other projects, as well as that it enables much simpler procedures for obtaining all necessary permits.

"Looking at the aspect of events in the last half of the year and what is announced for next year, when it comes to electricity prices, it is clear that prices will be significantly higher than they were in the period until June of this year. This means that energy companies will have to change their approach and way of doing business and will have to adapt to the situation. This is a project that gives citizens a certain kind of energy independence, gives them space to manage their own production. I think that the citizens should use this opportunity, because they will get the equipment at a much better price, " Đordan pointed out.

He explained that citizens will be able to monitor the operation of the system and electricity consumption on their phones via a mobile application.

When asked by journalists how citizens can apply for photovoltaic systems, Boljević explained that the scoring and ranking criteria are elaborated in detail in the Public Tender, which can be viewed at www.epcg.com.

  "The interested user fills in the application for photovoltaic systems on the website of EPCG and on the website of Eco Fund or by filling out a form that he can take in the local unit of FU Supply," Boljevic added.

Đukanović, answering the question of journalists, pointed out that in less than 48 hours from the announcement of the public tender, 250 citizens applied.

"A ranking list will be made according to classifications. Of importance will be the average bill that consumers had, as well as the average income per household member and the expressed desire of a citizen who heats on solid fuels to be heated through solar panels. They will have an advantage when the list is completed," Đukanović explained.

The average bill that consumers had will be important, as well as the average income per household member and the expressed desire of a citizen who uses solid fuel heating to heat through solar panels. They will have an advantage when the list is going to be completed, " Đukanović explained.

Asked when they expect the first photovoltaic systems to be installed, Đordan said that the first installations can be expected in February.

 The deadline for submitting applications is 60 calendar days from the day of publishing the Public Tender, i.e. until December 31st, 2021. The results of the Public Tender will be published on the website of EPCG and Eco Fund.