Montenegro’s environmental authority has granted a revised impact assessment for the €200 million Bijela wind farm, marking a significant step forward for one of the nation’s largest renewable energy initiatives. This approval comes after an earlier permit was revoked due to local community objections.
The project, developed by Vjetro park Bijela and owned by Alcazar Energy Partners, aims to construct a wind farm with a capacity of 118.8 MW near Šavnik. It will feature 17 turbines and include an 18.7-kilometre, 110-kV transmission line that connects to the Brezna substation.
The Environmental Protection Agency issued its approval on September 8, although this decision can still be challenged. The Ecology Ministry had previously annulled the environmental consent in response to complaints from residents in Šavnik and Plužine, as well as from the civic initiative Spasimo Brezna.
Opposition to the project has primarily targeted the transmission route rather than the turbines themselves. The proposed line, which would consist of 69 pylons, is set to traverse parts of the Dragišnica and Komarnica Nature Park protection zone, come close to the Nevidio canyon, and intersect with the buffer zone of Durmitor National Park.
Furthermore, the Komarnica canyon is identified as a proposed Emerald Network site and a potential Natura 2000 area, which raises the environmental standards that the developer must meet as Montenegro progresses toward EU membership.
As part of the new approval conditions, Vjetro park Bijela is required to conduct a 12-month study on birds and bats by October 1, 2027. Construction must adhere to additional measures regarding protected habitats, waterways, forests, noise management, erosion control, and waste disposal.
The regulator has also mandated an evaluation of how the project will impact the Durmitor landscape and tourism. Restrictions on construction during breeding seasons and a monitoring period of three to five years post-construction for bird and bat mortality have also been stipulated.
The transmission corridor is expected to cover approximately 935,000 square metres, factoring in a safety zone of 25 metres on either side. The final segment through Brezna village will utilize a 580-metre underground cable.
In September 2024, Montenegro’s transmission system operator CGES formalized a grid-connection agreement with Vjetro park Bijela. The government had previously established planning conditions for the project. Local firms Sistem MNE and Simes Inženjering signed construction contracts with Alcazar Energy in 2023.
While construction was originally scheduled to commence in 2025, delays due to permit disputes have pushed back this timeline. Alcazar Energy has reported securing around €200 million for the Bijela project and intends to increase its total investment in Montenegro to as much as €500 million by the end of 2030.
The renewed environmental approval alleviates a major hurdle; however, it does not eliminate the project’s core risks. The future progress of Bijela will hinge on whether the revised safeguards can endure further appeals and balance substantial private investment with protecting some of northern Montenegro’s most delicate landscapes.
