Tajani in Montenegro: Push to Strengthen Energy Partnership
The Italian Vice President of the Council, Antonio Tajanirecently visited Montenegro to promote a further strengthening of the energy partnership between Italy and Montenegro. The meeting at Podgorica has highlighted the importance of the submarine interconnection cable between the two countriesinaugurated in November 2019 and designed by Terna. This cable, 445 kilometers long and with a capacity of 600 MW, represents a crucial piece for regional energy integration.
Doubling the interconnection: the future of energy in the Balkans
Il Power line doubling projectwhich includes the addition of a second 600 MW cable, is now in focus. This expansion, scheduled for completion by 2027, could transform the Montenegro in a strategic energy hub for the Western Balkansimproving energy security and the integration of the region’s electricity systems. Tajani stressed that the doubling not only will contribute to decarbonisation and the use of renewable sourcesbut also represents a fundamental response to the need for contain energy costscrucial to maintaining the competitiveness of the European Union.
Regional cooperation: a step towards a single market
During the Energy TableTajani reiterated the importance of the regional cooperation for the success of joint projects and for the completion of the European single market. Doubling the interconnection between Italy and Montenegro will require not only a regulatory alignment, but also the development of adequate technical-regulatory infrastructures. Stephen Sagliamember of the ARERA Board of Directors, confirmed that the costs for this second cable will be significantly lower than the first poseand that the project is already authorized, with evaluation underway.
New perspectives for the Balkan electricity market
The Energy Table also discussed the “market coupling“, an initiative aimed at improve the integration of electricity markets between Italy and Montenegro. This institutional agreement, which provides for the creation of a Memorandum of Understandingwill serve to facilitate market coupling and optimise energy management. IbrahimovicMinister of Montenegro, stressed thestrategic importance of these bilateral ties and the desire to deepen cooperation, particularly in the energy sector, as part of a broader commitment to EU accession.
