The Montenegrin Electricity Distribution System is well underway with preparatory works for the Medium- and Low-Voltage Network Revitalisation Project. The project involves replacing worn-out sections of overhead lines and substations, and installing new network components in rural areas of Montenegro.
Over the next two years, CEDIS will invest 22 million and 400 thousand euros in the Medium- and Low-Voltage Electricity Network Revitalisation Project. Around 12 million and 400 thousand euros has been allocated for the first year of works to reconstruct seven 10 kV overhead lines: “Slap Zete” in Danilovgrad, “Krute” in Ulcinj, “Grahovo” in Nikšić, “Bijela” in Šavnik, “Tomaševo” and “Gubavač” in Bijelo Polje, and “Dolac” in Berane.
Inspections began in early March on one of the oldest overhead lines in Montenegro — the 10 kV “Slap Zete” overhead line, supplied from the 35/10 kV “Danilovgrad” substation. This is a 50 km-long overhead line, where inspectors must visit 621 pole locations across predominantly mountainous and often inaccessible terrain. The inspection involves a site visit along the overhead line by authorised representatives of CEDIS, as the investor, and the Consortium, as the contractor, and the selection of technical solutions for each facility forming part of the overhead line.
Ranko Šaranović, Chief Overhead Line Engineer in the Maintenance Department of Region 2, who led the field team as someone well acquainted with this part of the network, notes that this project is particularly important because it will revitalise a network built in the 1960s.
– On the “Slap” overhead line, poles, insulators and conductors are being replaced. The existing 35 mm2 copper conductor will be replaced with a new 50 mm2 aluminium conductor, and pole-mounted substations, low-voltage cabinets, medium-voltage switchgear, high-voltage fuses and disconnectors will also be reconstructed. This will significantly improve the reliability and quality of the electricity supply to the customers served by the line. In addition, we are installing disconnectors at every branch point, which will mean fewer outages and less work for the line crews – says Šaranović.
Ranko Šaranović
Inspection works are also underway on the 10 kV “Grahovo” overhead line, supplied from the 35/10 kV “Vilusi” substation; the 10 kV “Tomaševo” overhead line, supplied from the 35/10 kV “Čokrilje” substation in Bijelo Polje; and the 10 kV “Krute” overhead line in Ulcinj. Inspections of the remaining overhead lines scheduled for work this year under the Contract (the 10 kV “Gubavač” overhead line in Bijelo Polje, the 10 kV “Dolac” overhead line in Berane, and the 10 kV “Bijela” overhead line in Šavnik) will begin in April.
The Consortium’s inspectors determine the precise location of each pole in the field, recording its GPS coordinates and linking them to the GIS (geographic information system) platform already in place for each overhead line.
Plans, as well as detailed data on completed works under the Project, will be incorporated into the GIS, enabling a precise assessment of the network’s condition without having to visit the site.
– Continuously updating the GIS as part of the Project is very important, because this will give us access to all the data. In the event of a network fault, while still in the office we will be able to identify the location of the problem, the quantity of materials needed to repair the fault, and so on. Accurate data will make each subsequent reconstruction of these facilities easier and more straightforward – said Radovan Vujović, Maintenance Engineer in the Operations Directorate.
Radovan Vujović
As part of the inspection activities, households will be given detailed information about the Project and the benefits they can expect once the works are completed, through leaflets and direct communication in the field. The works will also involve occasional interruptions to the electricity supply, of which our customers will be notified in good time, up to 14 days before the works begin.
– Through future investments in the revitalisation, reconstruction and modernisation of existing electricity facilities, as well as the construction of new ones in Montenegro’s municipalities, CEDIS is determined to bring the electricity distribution system to a level that ensures a quality and reliable electricity supply for all customers – said Ivan Brajović, Head of the 10 and 0.4 kV Network Maintenance Centre.
Ivan Brajović
We remind you that around 480 km of medium-voltage network and eight thousand pole locations, as well as around 990 km of low-voltage network and 28 thousand pole locations on the low-voltage network, will be reconstructed under the Project over the next two years. The largest share of the funds will be allocated to revitalising the network supplying rural areas of municipalities in the north of the country.
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