Valorization Of Montenegro’s Wildernesses
Ljubiša Bošković Founder and director of the company “Sistem – MNE”
Every corner of our planet has its own natural characteristics, authentic regional specifics that define and distinguish it. These features may hold great potential, even if they do not necessarily represent the most attractive natural beauties for tourists.
When we proudly say the name “Montenegro” and want to boast about what our beautiful country has to offer, besides our attractive and tall young men and women, we will mention the enchanting coastline, our hills and mountains, crystal-clear mountain rivers, abundant sunny days, and perhaps skip over some areas that, unfortunately, are not included on hiking maps or mountain routes. Yet, these untouched wilderness areas are a great asset and a tremendous opportunity for us.
It is crucial that the forward-thinking people living in such areas recognize this potential and do everything they can to make the most of it so that the rest of the world speaks of them as a shining example of how to utilize available resources properly. The valorization of these potentials can quickly improve the quality of life for the local population and significantly contribute to the economic growth of these regions.
In recent decades, tourism and agriculture have been Montenegro’s strategic economic sectors. It is undeniable that our country has the natural potential for these two industries. However, if we were to honestly analyze the human potential for these sectors, we could have a serious discussion. After all, there are numerous jokes about Montenegrins’ work habits, and hospitality is not necessarily one of our strongest traits. Perhaps this explains why we import enormous quantities of food, and despite decades of investment, most of our arable land remains uncultivated. Tourism is predominantly based on a short summer season, which operates under numerous constraints, primarily concerning road infrastructure. Given this, it would be logical to reconsider our strategic directions.
As I mentioned at the very beginning, I believe we must be wise, analyze our potential, and make the most of it. On a clear day, when looking out of an airplane window at our small country, all we see is an endless expanse of hills and rocky terrain. The first thought of an ordinary person might be that it is an impossible mission to utilize what dominates this landscape our rugged hills, which we cherish and even celebrate in songs-because many of these areas have remained untouched by human footsteps for decades. However, as a mechanical engineer trained to think analytically and solve problems, I firmly believe that this is a potential Montenegro must urgently take advantage of.
Global warming and climate change, caused by the burning of fossil fuels, are inflicting increasing damage on humanity year after year. Decision-makers are responding on multiple fronts, with decarbonization being the primary focus across all sectors. In many countries worldwide, the energy sector relies heavily on thermal power plants, which emit carbon dioxide (CO2), the main greenhouse gas responsible for climate change. Most Western Balkan countries still depend on coal-powered plants as a key energy source. The European Union’s energy policy has taken a clear stance on these facilities decarbonizing the energy sector is one of its top priorities, and the only remaining uncertainty is when each power plant will be shut down. Given the growing demand for electricity, a crucial question arises: how do we replace the energy currently produced by thermal power plants? At present, the only feasible alternatives are renewable energy sources and nuclear energy.
This is precisely where I see a major opportunity for Montenegro one that few people recognize at the moment. The vast rocky landscapes, where human feet rarely tread, are ideal locations for installing solar photovoltaic power plants. Additionally, this would provide purpose to land that has remained unused for decades. Thanks to Montenegro’s abundant sunny days, we have the potential to develop numerous electricity-generating facilities something we often forget is a fundamental necessity for every individual. If we produce surplus electricity, our well-developed transmission network allows us to export it abroad, particularly through the undersea cable to Italy. Furthermore, advanced technologies now enable efficient storage of excess energy, ensuring it can be utilized even when immediate demand or market prices are not favorable.
The synergy between solar power generation and agriculture is becoming increasingly common in the most developed European countries, known as agro-solar. I perceive this as a significant development opportunity for Montenegro because the additional value generated from electricity production, combined with the benefits of food production, could be the decisive factor in making agricultural land unfortunately underutilized in Montenegro more profitable. This could serve as a strong incentive for agriculture, leading to a reduction in the unacceptably high percentage of unused arable land and ultimately decreasing food imports, which currently amount to hundreds of millions of euros annually.
Montenegro’s plateaus and rugged terrains are exposed to strong air currents for most of the year, making them ideal locations for wind farms. These locations are breathtakingly beautiful, yet due to the lack of road infrastructure, they remain accessible only to a handful of passionate hikers. Constructing wind farms would lead to the development of roads, improving accessibility for a wider range of visitors. It is not uncommon for wind farms to be built even in national parks, as they have almost no negative environmental impact producing electricity by harnessing wind energy, a renewable resource. I am deeply convinced that the construction of wind farms would bring new vitality to these parts of Montenegro. Unfortunately, they are predominantly deserted, or only occasionally visited in the summer months by a few shepherds who would eagerly welcome these projects and new roads, just as was the case on the Krnovo plateau, where a wind farm was built.
At this moment, a major race is underway in the Western Balkans to develop renewable energy projects. The key limitation for these projects is the connection to the power transmission network, as the network always has limited capacity. If Montenegro falls behind in this race, and neighboring countries build solar and wind power plants with sufficient capacity, we could find ourselves in a situation where projects in our country are no longer attractive for financing because there will be ample sources in the surrounding area. If this scenario unfolds, Montenegro would, as we have already learned, in addition to food, water, and all other products that we once produced within the territory of Montenegro, also have to import electricity, because with Montenegro’s accession to the European Union, the operation of the thermal power plant in Pljevlja will no longer be commercially viable, and its shutdown is inevitable, sooner or later.
Decision-makers at the highest levels must recognize that they have a responsibility not only to the people living in these areas but to all citizens of MONTENEGRO when it comes to valorization of our country’s potential based on the principles of sustainable development. These individuals must be visionaries, capable of identifying the potential of our land and the people who inhabit it, and find ways to utilize that potential.
They must recognize and objectively assess what resources our country has and prioritize the task of maximizing the utilization of all resources both human and spatial and become a shining example of a small country with beautiful people where life is like a fairy tale. If this doesn’t happen if there isn’t enough wisdom and determination at the top we might experience the fate of an athlete who, as a young person, was extremely talented, someone who was predicted to have a brilliant career, but due to an irresponsible and unsporting life, that shining career never materialized, and now they are barely surviving. I sincerely hope this will not happen to us.
As a conclusion, I must repeat this once more! Now, it is all up to us that is, it is now up to the decision-makers in our country to determine whether we will capitalize on this potential and become an exporter of electricity or simply sit back and watch our neighbors do it instead. I am convinced that those chosen by the people of Montenegro to lead the country into the European Union will recognize this great development opportunity. Alongside tourism and agriculture, the energy sector must become a stable pillar of our country’s economic growth. This will lay the foundation for Montenegro’s sustainable economic development, creating new jobs, promoting balanced regional development, and opening new roads across Montenegro’s vast and untapped wilderness.