Losses on the electricity distribution network in March amounted to 11.33 per cent, which is as much as 2.15 percentage points lower than the level recorded in the same month of the previous year, when they amounted to 13.48 per cent. Losses in the first quarter of the current year were 1.44 percentage points lower than in the same period in 2022, enabling CEDIS to report a continued reduction in losses alongside an increase in energy taken from the grid.
By curbing network losses, CEDIS achieved savings of EUR 1,572,577.55 in the first three months of this year compared with the same period last year.
“The results achieved are particularly significant when we consider the broader, inherited picture of losses on the electricity distribution network. Illegal construction also means illegal connections, as well as losses on the electricity distribution network. Existing infrastructure is being burdened in an unplanned manner, increasing maintenance costs and reducing the impact of investments. On the ground, identifying illegal connections and bringing them within the framework defined by law is a painstaking process that also requires the involvement of a significant number of employees. For CEDIS, especially in the current climate of global uncertainty in the energy market and unprecedented increases in the prices of equipment used to maintain the electricity network, all of this represents a serious financial burden. Furthermore, tackling this deeply rooted and widespread problem requires systemic support which, in my view, is neither sufficient nor consistent. In light of these negative aspects, I believe that the results achieved are particularly valuable,” said Vaso Zeković, Head of the Metering Sector.
In March, users of the electricity distribution system took a total of 259,820,449 kWh of electricity, around 2.5 per cent less than the consumption recorded in February and slightly more than the energy taken from the grid in March of the previous year. The largest share of electricity, 37.50 per cent, was distributed to users in the areas of Podgorica, Danilovgrad and Cetinje (Region 2).
A total of 410,786 meters were read, or 94 per cent of the total (unread metering points are located in buildings that are not permanently occupied). The reading rate at metering points equipped with new electronic meters is 99 per cent.
In March, the Maintenance Sector teams carried out 2,088 field interventions at the 10/0.4 kV level. The value of maintenance work on electricity infrastructure facilities (10/0.4 kV) amounted to around EUR 209,000.
During March, 857 new users were connected to the distribution network.
In March, construction of the “Svinjišta” transformer station in Budva was completed, as was the installation of a 1,000 kW transformer in place of the 400 kW transformer at the “Vranići 4” transformer station in Podgorica. Work also began on the construction of the “Br.34 – Nova” transformer station in Bar. The total value of this work is around EUR 190,000.
In the previous month, 66 new electronic meters were installed across Montenegro. The total number of metering points in Montenegro equipped with remotely controlled electronic meters is around 340,000, covering approximately 80 per cent of the customer base.
In carrying out its core activities—electricity distribution and maintenance of the distribution network—CEDIS will continue its dedicated efforts to curb network losses in the period ahead, for the benefit of citizens and the company.
