Montenegro utility launches 240 MWh battery storage tender

EPCG, Montenegro’s largest electricity provider, is investing in two four-hour battery energy storage systems (BESS) to strengthen grid resilience and balance supply and demand.

Each system will have a power output of 30 MW and a storage capacity of 120 MWh, designed for operation at an output voltage of 35 kV. The batteries will be installed at the site of the metal processing company EPCG Željezara Nikšić.

The tender covers the full project scope – including design, equipment supply, construction, commissioning, personnel training, and maintenance. Bidders must account for two cost components in their offers: costs for the first 10 years, covering all services and maintenance to ensure uninterrupted operation; and costs for years 11–20, including replacement, upgrades, and continued technical maintenance of key components.

The winning bidders must submit the main project design within 45 days of contract signing and complete the installation within eight months. Bids must be submitted via the ESJN electronic public procurement platform no later than October 15, 2025, by 10:00 AM.

This project is part of EPCG’s broader BESS rollout across four strategic locations, leveraging existing grid infrastructure. In addition to the two 60 MWh systems at the Nikšić steel mill, EPCG plans to install: a 60 MWh unit at Perućica hydropower plant, a 60 MWh unit at Pljevlja thermal power plant and a 5 MWh system at the planned Kapino Polje solar power plant (5 MW).

EPCG has 874 MW of installed generation capacity, with 649 MW coming from two big hydro power plants, Perucica and Piva. It also operates the 225 MW TE Pljevlja, the country’s sole thermal power plant.

The utility also has several small hydropower plants and is developing a number of renewable energy projects, including Komarnica hydroelectric power plant (172 MW), WF Gvozd wind power plant (54.6 MW) and SP Briska Gora solar power plant (250 MW).