The Electric Power Company of Montenegro (EPCG) has retracted its request for an environmental permit concerning the Komarnica hydroelectric power plant project. This indicates that the procedure is on hold temporarily; however, the project itself has not been dismissed, as announced by the “Save Komarnica” Initiative.

The “Save Komarnica Initiative” has previously refrained from commenting on various speculations in the media and political maneuverings, opting instead to await credible information from relevant institutions. Now that this information is confirmed, they feel compelled to issue a public statement. The initiative clarified that the EPCG’s withdrawal of the environmental permit request means the process is temporarily halted, but the threat posed by the Komarnica HPP remains intact—currently lacking an environmental permit, yet not formally rejected. This information was shared with the press by the Montenegrin Society of Ecologists (CDE).

The statement pointed out that the director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Milan Gazdić, decided to “merely suspend the process” in favor of the investor, rather than progressing with the administrative procedure to decline the environmental permit in line with legal guidelines and expert commission recommendations.

The group claims this approach has evaded institutional responsibility, leaving open the possibility for a renewed attempt to advance the project, especially with upcoming legislative changes that could facilitate a quicker permit issuance process.

They view this situation as a “missed opportunity” for a legal and formal rejection of the project.

The failure to arrive at a final decision has given EPCG the leeway to continue its planning, indicating potential rights abuses and criminal responsibilities. They describe this action as legally unfounded, viewing it as a time-buying tactic that exemplifies malpractice and attempts to circumvent essential regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency should prioritize the interests of the state and its citizens, yet it seems that parochial interests overridden those values.

The initiative describes the withdrawal of the request as a tactical maneuver—a strategy to await a more conducive political climate and legal amendments, suggesting it does not reflect a genuine shift toward sustainable energy policy but rather a persistence along a misguided path.

“Our advocacy has been long-standing—backed by scientifically sound and legally irrefutable arguments presented during public hearings. It is precisely these arguments that have prevented EPCG from fulfilling legal requirements, leading them to retract their request,” they stated.

They characterize this practice as an “ongoing political deception”:

“The government led by Dritan Abazović, president of the environmentally-oriented political party URA, ratified the agreement that permitted the creation of the Komarnica HPP, despite their present claims that they oppose the project. The new administration, led by Milojko Spajić, Mujović, and other officials, has maintained the same trajectory, despite public commitments not to replicate the errors of their predecessors and to advocate for the interests of citizens and nature. There is no divergent policy—only a continued disregard for the law, scientific input, professional standards, and the demands of citizens and nature for the benefit of select groups.”

They announce a protest camp scheduled at Komarnica from June 6 to 8, “where we will share our ongoing struggle for the rivers and outline our future actions aimed at preserving and sustainably utilizing Komarnica.”

“We remain vigilant and resolute. We will not permit detrimental, outdated, and opaque projects to resurface via secretive negotiations or tailored legislation. Komarnica is our line of defense—not only for nature but also for the rule of law,” declared the “Let’s Write Off Komarnica” Initiative.

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