Montenegro is considering utilizing Bilecak Lake for its water supply and hydropower needs, as indicated in the revised Spatial-Urban Plan (PUP) of the Municipality of Nikšić, which was approved by the government in June.

The document states, “It is feasible to use a portion of Bileća Lake’s water for constructing waterwell facilities in Montenegro, as 4.82 km² of the lake lies within Montenegro’s territory, corresponding to an approximate volume of 300 × 10⁶ m³. This resource could serve both the water supply systems in Banja and hydropower projects.”

According to the proposal, there are plans to harness the water potential for hydropower by constructing dams and reservoirs on Kunska Rijeka and Pritoje Susica, situated at an elevation of 350 meters above sea level, which would have an overall volume of around 20 × 10⁶ m³.

The water from Bilećak Lake, located partially in Montenegro, could be transported via a hydrotechnical tunnel to these reservoirs.

“Specifically, the water from the accumulations on Kunska River and Pritoje will flow back into the downstream watercourse at the compensation pool ‘Gorica,'” the amendments to the Nikšić PUP detail. The designed reservoirs are also expected to alleviate flood waves to some degree.

The authors of the document (the working team of the Ministry of Spatial Planning) note that the conversion of Bilecak Lake for the power plant’s needs could adversely affect the electricity production of existing power plants currently utilizing water from Bilecak Lake.

“Developing such intricate water management projects requires specialized studies and agreements with the neighboring country,” they emphasized.

Since 1968, Bilećko Jezero has been providing electricity to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia via the Trebišnjica hydropower system, which includes the hydroelectric power plants in Trebinje 1, Trebinje 2, Dubrovnik 1, and Čapljina. Although studies indicate that around 40 percent of the watercourse originates from Montenegro, Montenegro has not received any compensation for approximately one-fifth of the lake’s area for electricity produced by this system since 1992. After several years of unsuccessful negotiations between representatives of Montenegro and Republika Srpska in Trebinje, a retroactive compensation payment agreement was reached in Nikšić regarding submerged lands that have been unpaid since 1992.

In a meeting in mid-June between Minister of Energy Saša Mujović and the director of Elektroprivreda, the potential for Montenegro to begin utilizing its share of Bilećak Lake’s resources was discussed.

The Nikšić PUP also addresses the water supply issues for the entire Rudina and Banjan areas through a regional supply from Bileća Lake and Slačka. Specific details regarding quantities, management, and other conditions for water usage are to be outlined in the relevant project documentation, ensuring that necessary agreements with neighboring states are achieved, as indicated in the document.

It is also noted that the Municipality of Nikšić encompasses part of the Trebišnjica River. A section of its flow is submerged due to the formation of Bileća Lake and Miraška Lake. The river catchment includes the Nadola, Klampo, and Kuna rivers, which are part of the municipality.

Bilećko Lake was established during the construction of the arched dam near Grančarevo between 1961 and 1967. The dam’s base elevation is 296 meters, and its height reaches 107 meters. The lake extends 18 kilometers in length from the dam to the Bileći spring, covering a total area of 20 km², as stated in the PUP.

Approximately 10 kilometers of the lake’s length marks the border between Montenegro and Herzegovina. The site of the Kosijerevo monastery was relocated from this area, and a significant portion of the local population was displaced. The Grančarevo Hydropower Plant generates about 495 GWh of electricity annually.