The Electric Power Company of Montenegro (EPCG) has awarded the tender for the procurement of photovoltaic modules for the “Solari 1,12+” project to the Podgorica-based firm Novi Volvox, with a total value of 5 million euros excluding VAT. A contract was signed between the state-owned and the private company at the end of last year.

The tender, launched on April 30 and closing on May 31, faced delays and complaints, extending its duration to an entire year. The procurement aimed to secure photovoltaic modules with a maximum power of 580 watts, with an estimated procurement value of 1.2 million euros.

Initially, in July, EPCG chose Hifa Oil’s bid of 1.08 million euros as the best option; however, an appeal was possible. BB Solar and Novi Volvox filed complaints against this decision at the end of the month, yet EPCG maintained that these challenges were without merit.

The Commission for the Protection of Rights in Public Procurement Procedures ruled differently, indicating that Hifa Oil’s declaration was improperly completed. Consequently, it decided in mid-September to repeat the tender process and reassess the selections. Ultimately, in early October, the contract was awarded to “Novi Volvox,” which subsequently faced a complaint from “BB Solar,” whose founders are Ivan Burzanović and Blazo Djukanović, the latter being the son of the former president Milo Đukanović.

At the beginning of October last year, the job was awarded to “Novi Volvox,” which was contested by “BB Solar,” whose founders are Ivan Burzanović and Blazo Djukanović, son of the former president Milo Đukanović.

The company “Kim Tec CG” ranked second in the tender, followed by “Comtrade Distribution” in third place, while “BB Solar” came fourth. Hifa Oil’s bid was excluded from the proceedings.

“BB Solar” argued for disqualifying the other companies from the tender, claiming they provided inaccurate statements regarding company registrations and failed to meet the tender’s specifications for the photovoltaic modules. They requested the annulment of the selection decision.

EPCG reiterated its stance that the complaints were unfounded in an October letter, with similar statements issued by “Novi Volvox,” “Kim Tec CG,” and “Comtrade Distribution.”

In November, the Commission rejected “BB Solar’s” complaint as baseless.

In February, “New Volvox” rebranded to “XENERGY.”

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