Montenegro’s Pljevlja power plant has rejoined the grid after a 10-day planned overhaul, and delivered 137,372 MWh of electricity in October, 42% above its monthly plan, Electric Power Company of Montenegro (EPCG) said. The plant supplies around 40% of Montenegro’s domestic electricity production on average, making its output particularly relevant during the unfavourable hydrological conditions that marked 2026.
The plant was disconnected on 30 October after three months of continuous operation without an outage. The overhaul had initially been scheduled to last 15 days but was completed in 10, ahead of the winter months, when the work was intended to support more reliable operation. EPCG attributed the shorter schedule to employees and contractors working in three shifts.
More than 260 technical interventions were completed. Work covered the boiler and turbine facilities, repairs to boiler screen tubes, recirculation ducts and coal mills, replacement of worn components, and cleaning of key heat-exchange surfaces and cooling systems. Crews also inspected desulphurisation, denitrification and ash transport systems. EPCG had logged more than 260 technical defects and locations requiring repairs, prioritising work affecting production safety and reliability.
By the end of October 2026, the plant’s generator had produced 1,267,417 MWh, while 1,140,759 MWh had been delivered to the grid. October’s grid deliveries were 137,372 MWh, with no unit outages during the month.
Emission readings below limits
EPCG said the plant’s environmental reconstruction had reduced harmful emissions. Results supplied by the company showed sulphur dioxide emissions down by more than 98% and nitrogen oxide emissions down by about 74% compared with levels before the reconstruction.
Accredited Ljubljana laboratory RACI carried out guarantee measurements, while the Center for Ecotoxicological Research (CETI) measured emissions during regular plant operation. EPCG said the measurements by both organisations found sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and dust below the prescribed limit values.
Air quality remains under review
EPCG cautioned that lower emissions from the plant’s chimney did not mean Pljevlja’s air-quality problem had been fully resolved. It said continuous monitoring and independent expert analysis were needed to assess the impact of all pollution sources, taking meteorological and seasonal conditions into account.
The company said it was continuing work on the Pljevlja district heating project, which it considers an important step in improving living conditions in the town over the long term. EPCG also said it would continue to provide information on the plant’s production and environmental indicators.
