Page 153 - bne IntelliNews SE Outlook Regions 2024

resolve before the 2050s. They accuse the European Commission of actively encouraging higher gas consumption across the Western Balkans countries.
The construction of the LNG terminal would also require the construction of a network of new pipelines. The NGOs say in the letter that it would be unrealistic for Montenegro, based on its size, limited institutional capacity and empty state coffers, to make another transition from gas towards renewables by 2050.
In May, Montenegro’s government signed a memorandum of understanding with two US companies, Enerflex Energy Systems and Wethington Energy Innovation, on the construction of a LNG terminal in or near the Port of Bar, and a gas-fired power plant.
The LNG terminal would have an unloading dock for LNG imports, LNG storage, and a regasification unit connected with a short pipeline to the planned thermal power plant.
Enerflex anticipates that the terminal would be able to receive 25,000 barrels of LNG per hour and that the storage facility would have an approximate capacity of 250,000 barrels. The cost of construction is estimated at between €130mn and €250mn.
Close to the LNG terminal, the Montenegrin government and the two US companies plan to build a gas-fired combined cycle power plant with a capacity of between 240 MW and 440 MW. Construction would cost from €200mn to €500mn depending on the capacity.
The government will provide land for the terminal and the power plant, which should be completed by the end of 2025.
Another project in the energy sector is the 118-MW wind farm project, for which renewable energy investor Alcazar Energy has acquired rights and plans to invest $200mn. The Bijela project is part of Montenegro’s 2040 national development strategy and is seen as a major investment for the country and a significant contribution towards reducing its greenhouse gas emissions.
The company said it has entered into a partnership with Montenegrin companies Simes Inzenjering and Sistem MNE who were the original greenfield developers of the project.
The project is expected to reach its financial close in the first quarter of 2025 with construction commencing in early 2025.
7.9 Energy & Power - Romania
Romania slashed one fifth of coal use in less than two years. The country’s primary energy intake decreased slightly to 33.0mn tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) in the 12-month period to September 2023, 2.2% (-0.73mn toe) less compared to 2021, according to the statistics office INS.
The lower use of primary energy resources matched the slashing of the amounts of coal that was burnt in the power plants, which was quite
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