The Government of Montenegro has submitted proposed amendments to the Law on the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources to the Parliament, requesting its adoption under an expedited procedure. Aimed at harmonising national legislation with the EU’s RED III Directive—a crucial benchmark for closing Negotiation Chapter 15 (Energy)—the law introduces rules to accelerate green energy projects, map optimal development areas, and shorten environmental impact assessment deadlines to 30 or 45 days. Crucially, the draft designates renewable energy projects as matters of overriding public interest, public health, and safety, granting them priority status in all permitting and approval processes.
Under the new regulations, state and local institutions must ensure that public buildings lead the way in green energy transition, requiring them to maintain a higher share of renewable energy usage than what is mandated for private buildings. Consequently, during the construction of new public facilities or the reconstruction of existing ones, authorities are legally required to integrate renewable energy production, green heating and cooling systems, and energy storage units whenever technically and economically feasible.
