In Montenegro in 2024, more than half of the country's electricity consumption comes from low-carbon sources, standing at 59%. Hydropower is the dominant low-carbon source, contributing nearly half of Montenegro's electricity at 49%. Wind and solar energy also play a part, supplying around 8% and 2% respectively. However, fossil fuels, notably coal, account for almost 39% of the electricity generation, which poses significant concerns for both air quality and climate change. This mix highlights Montenegro's considerable reliance on hydropower and a substantial, though declining dependency on fossil fuels, with only minor contributions from solar energy. Close to none of Montenegro's electricity needs come from net imports.
Is Electricity Growing in Montenegro?
The recent electricity consumption in Montenegro stands at 5,974 kWh per person, which marks a decrease from the historical peak of 7,605 kWh per person in 2006—a significant drop of 1,631 kWh per person. This trend is concerning as the country's total electricity use has significantly diminished over the last decade and a half. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation per person at 3,543 kWh is also below its 2010 peak of 4,351 kWh per person, reflecting a downturn by 808 kWh. This situation suggests a worrying stagnation in low-carbon electricity growth, which is crucial for minimizing the environmental impact and supporting economic growth.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Montenegro could look to regions with successful implementations of clean energy sources. Countries like France and Slovakia, which generate most of their electricity from nuclear energy (68% and 62% respectively), can provide valuable insights into leveraging nuclear power effectively. Similarly, countries like Greece and Nevada, with strong solar setups at 21% and 27% respectively, demonstrate the potential of solar power in favorable climates. By considering these models, Montenegro could embark on expanding its solar and potentially piloting nuclear projects, thereby reducing its reliance on coal and enhancing its sustainable electricity generation capacity.
History
Historically, Montenegro's low-carbon electricity generation has primarily relied on hydropower, with fluctuations over the decades. The early 2000s witnessed some stability, but notable declines occurred in 2006 and 2011. The period from 2008 to 2010 saw some recuperation, followed by a significant reduction in 2011. The subsequent years have been marked by alternating increases and decreases, illustrating a lack of consistent growth. In 2019, wind energy began to contribute, albeit minimally. The continuous seesaw pattern, with recent minor increases in hydropower, underscores the need for diversification into more stable and predictable low-carbon sources like nuclear and solar.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.