Twenty-seven Montenegrin non-governmental organizations have sent a letter to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, urging her not to support the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the Port of Bar.
The letter states that Montenegro is not connected to international gas networks and uses only small amounts of fossil fuels, which puts it in a more favourable position for decarbonization compared to the EU, which is struggling with its dependence on imported fossil gas after the onset of the war in Ukraine.
Recently, the Commissioner for Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, announced that the EU would provide support to Montenegro in building a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the Port of Bar.
“The Western Balkan countries are much less dependent on gas than the EU, and they have committed to gradually phase out the use of fossil fuels by 2050. However, if the LNG terminal is built, it would hinder and prevent the country’s decarbonization by 2050,” stated the letter.
The NGOs stated that this would require an entire network of new pipelines, and the government would also propose three new gas power plants.
“It is unrealistic for Montenegro, based on its size and limited institutional capacity, to undergo another transition from gas to renewable energy sources by 2050,” the letter stated.
