Residents of Gornja Brezna and surrounding areas have raised concerns regarding the public consultation process conducted by Crnogorski elektroprenosni sistem (CGES) for the proposed 400 kV Brezna – Crkvičko Polje – Sarajevo international transmission line and its associated substation. The civic initiative “Spasimo Brezna” has accused CGES of failing to fulfill its legal obligations to engage meaningfully with local communities and assess the project’s potential impact on both people and the environment.
Critics highlighted that notice of the consultation meeting in Plužine was posted on CGES’s website only nine days prior to the event, which they argue limited community participation and undermined the purpose of consultations for such a significant infrastructure initiative. Residents noted that households directly affected by the proposed route were not individually notified about the consultations, despite their proximity to the project.
During the consultation, attendees reported that CGES representatives presented a predetermined route for the transmission line without adequately addressing community concerns. Many participants expressed frustration over what they perceived as a lack of engagement and left the meeting, claiming that the process did not adhere to Montenegrin law, the Aarhus Convention on public participation, or standards expected by European Union regulations and international financiers.
The ongoing dispute regarding the consultation process occurs alongside broader local opposition to the project. In 2025, the same group initiated legal action against CGES, alleging that documentation submitted to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for financing included inaccurate information about residential properties near the proposed site. They are seeking a formal hearing that would involve EBRD representatives.
Opponents argue that the planned high-voltage infrastructure could significantly affect rural development, property values, and environmental conditions in the area. They are calling on authorities and CGES to halt current proceedings, engage in genuine dialogue with stakeholders, explore alternative locations, and ensure compliance with transparent legal procedures.
