Montenegro has commissioned its first landfill gas power plant at the Mozura municipal waste site near Bar, creating a new source of electricity while reducing environmental impacts. Valued at approximately €1.8 million, the facility is the first of its kind in Montenegro and the surrounding region, transforming landfill gas from a pollutant into a usable energy resource.
The plant has successfully completed trial operations and received all necessary approvals from the Montenegrin electricity distribution system. Following the testing phase, it will enter full commercial operation, supplying stable electricity to the national grid while improving control over landfill gas emissions.
The facility captures gas produced by the decomposition of waste in sanitary landfill cells through a network of wells and pipelines. This gas powers a gas engine and generator using modern, largely automated Jenbacher technology. The plant has an installed capacity of 0.99 MW, is expected to operate about 95 percent of the year (roughly 8,350 hours), and will produce an estimated 7.5 GWh of electricity annually. A 2022 feasibility study confirmed that the landfill gas, composed of roughly 50% methane, is suitable for long-term energy use. With an efficient collection system, about half of the generated gas can be captured, and production is expected to continue for up to 30 years after landfill closure, ensuring long-term project viability.
From an environmental perspective, the project reduces greenhouse gas emissions by capturing methane instead of releasing it into the atmosphere. Its climate benefits earned it first place in the Energy Scouts program, organized by the Chambers of Commerce of Montenegro and Germany, with the project presented in Berlin last year.
Financial analyses indicate a payback period of five to six years, which is competitive for infrastructure of this type. The final implementation phase includes the installation of a SCADA system to enhance monitoring and operational control.
The project was primarily financed by the Mozura landfill operator, with additional support from Montenegro’s Eko Fund for documentation and environmental assessments. A Slovenian partner, CMSR, contributed a grant of around €630,000 toward construction.