CEDIS Executive Director Vladimir Ivanović and Minister of Energy and Mining, MSc Admir Šahmanović, accompanied by their associates, visited the repair works on electricity infrastructure in Piperi and Kakaricka Gora today. The infrastructure was damaged in recent fires.
Around 50 overhead line poles have burned down so far on the 10 kV “Piperi” feeder, while the number of destroyed poles on the low-voltage network has yet to be determined. CEDIS crews managed to replace as many as 17 poles yesterday, enabling power to be supplied to the pumps at the water source and ensuring water supply to residents in the area. Work to install new poles continued today. Three poles on the “Tuzi Overhead Line” burned down last night in Kakaricka Gora. CEDIS has all the resources needed to repair the damaged electricity infrastructure, and maintenance crews are making extraordinary efforts to restore normal power supply in record time.
During the summer season, fires at several locations in Montenegro have caused extensive material damage to the electricity system—more than 150 poles have been replaced so far in the municipalities of Plužine, Podgorica, Žabljak and Pljevlja. The fires are still active, so the figures are not final. All CEDIS crews are working in difficult conditions, and due to extreme temperatures and active fires, it is impossible to predict with certainty how the situation will develop.
“These workers, side by side with the other services in the field, show what true patriotism means: regardless of fatigue and danger, they stand on the front line to defend their homes and their country. Their courage and unwavering commitment deserve the admiration of all Montenegro. I thank them for every hour, every step and every decision to be where conditions are most difficult, often at the cost of their own safety,” Minister Šahmanović said, adding that he had seen first-hand the superhuman effort CEDIS crews are making to protect facilities and the country’s critical energy infrastructure.
The Minister stressed that Montenegro is facing major challenges these days, but that it is precisely in moments like these that the strength of unity and solidarity comes to the fore.
“Now is the time to show that we are one. I urge all citizens to exercise the utmost caution, avoid any activity that could cause a fire, and follow the instructions of the competent services without exception. Only together can we defend our homes, our property and our country,” Šahmanović concluded.
Dino Tutundžić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy and Mining, and Marko Vučinić, Acting Director General of the Directorate for Geology and Mining, also took part in the site visit.
The Ministry of Energy and Mining and CEDIS urged citizens to exercise particular caution and responsibility when handling fires outdoors, in order to prevent situations that threaten people’s safety, property and the stability of the electricity distribution network. They reminded the public that negligence or irresponsible conduct can cause extensive material damage and interruptions to electricity supply.
