Nemanja Laković, the Executive Director of the Pljevlja Coal Mine, introduced the project “Just Transition through Business Transformation” from the largest company in Pljevlja at the recent “Sarajevo Energy Forum.”

Held on January 30th and 31st in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital, this year’s Forum brought together leading professionals in energy, technology, and economics.

The Coal Mine announced that this initiative marks the first concrete step toward a just transition in alignment with EU recommendations.

The core of the plan is to maximize the Coal Mine’s potential through a business transformation aimed at creating new job opportunities and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit in Pljevlja.

“Some elements of the plan have already been implemented and are performing well in the market. Notably, our construction group will involve the most employees from the company. We are drafting an application program for EU funds aimed at just transition, and I am optimistic about obtaining the financial support necessary for executing this plan,” Laković emphasized.

Laković also stressed the importance of considering Montenegro’s stability when making decisions regarding a just transition, with a focus on careful long-term planning and implementing changes only when Montenegro is ready to transition away from its invaluable resources, notably the Pljevlja Mine and TPP, which generates over 40% of the country’s electricity.

“Currently, we are working on the National Energy Plan for Montenegro, which will outline our country’s decarbonization strategies in accordance with EU guidelines. I hope Montenegro’s concerns will be acknowledged, and it is crucial for us to complete the entire job transformation initiative in Pljevlja by that time,” stated Laković.

The Mine is also planning the construction of a 40-megawatt solar park at the Grevo landfill, along with a project for a 2.2-megawatt mini hydropower plant at the Durutovići dam.

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