Offshore Wind Energy Potential: Assessing Capacity Factor and Electricity Generation in Montenegro

Authors

  • Miloš Bogdanović Independent researched https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8030-2932
  • Špiro Ivošević University of Montenegro, Faculty of Maritime Studies Kotor

Keywords:

Wind farm, Offshore wind farm, Electricity generation, Fixed wind farm, Floating wind farm

Abstract

Montenegro, as a signatory to international agreements, is committed to reducing CO₂ emissions and achieving full decarbonization by 2050. To meet these environmental goals, the country must permanently shut down the coal-fired thermal power plant in Pljevlja. This study assesses the potential electricity generation capacity of an offshore wind farm in Montenegro using 15 MW wind turbines at a location identified in prior research. Two offshore wind farm technical capacity criteria are applied: one defined by the World Bank (WB), specifying a capacity of 3 MW/km², and another by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) under the U.S. Department of Energy, specifying 5 MW/km². The study also examines two operational scenarios of Montenegro’s electricity system. Results show that a fixed-bottom offshore wind farm in an area of 88,438 km², with sea depths up to 60 meters, could generate 55,71% of the electricity produced by the Pljevlja plant based on WB criteria, or 92,86% based on NREL criteria. For depths over 60 meters, a floating offshore wind farm in 678,16 km² could generate 4,22 times the electricity output of the Pljevlja plant based on WB criteria, or 7,04 times its output based on NREL criteria.

Author Biographies

Miloš Bogdanović, Independent researched

Experienced Marine Engineer (born 1981) with a strong background in the maritime, offshore oil & gas, and offshore wind industries. Over two decades of expertise, including roles as Chief Engineer and regulatory oversight in the Montenegrin Government. Skilled in offshore energy projects, engineering management, and regulatory compliance. Currently working as a Renewable Energy Consultant and Offshore Wind Researcher. Holding a Master’s Degree in Maritime Studies from the Faculty of Maritime Studies Kotor (2024) and a Graduate Marine Engineer degree from the same institution at the University of Montenegro.

Professional experience includes serving as Head of the HSE Department and Offshore Oil & Gas Regulatory Specialist at Montenegro Hydrocarbons Administration (MHA) from 2019 to 2024, where responsibilities included establishing Montenegro’s offshore oil & gas sector, leading the Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) department, overseeing regulatory compliance and safety aspects of offshore energy projects, supervising the deepest well drilling project in the Adriatic Sea, and engaging in scientific research related to offshore energy. Prior to this, worked as Chief Engineer in the offshore oil & gas industry from 2012 to 2018, managing engineering operations on specialized offshore vessels and collaborating with top global oil companies to ensure regulatory compliance. Earlier experience includes serving as a Marine Engineer in the Merchant Navy from 2002 to 2010, gaining extensive engineering expertise on merchant vessels.

Published work includes "Winds of Change: A Study on the Resource Viability of Offshore Wind Energy in Montenegro," featured in MDPI Energies (https://doi.org/10.3390/en17081852).

 

Špiro Ivošević, University of Montenegro, Faculty of Maritime Studies Kotor

Špiro Ivošević was born on 19th May 1971 in Kotor. He graduated from Mechanization and Transport Systems at Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Podgorica in 1994. Soon after that he enrolled at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering postgraduate studies, where he obtained a Master degree in 2004. In 2012 he obtained a title of PhD at the Faculty of Maritime Studies Kotor by defending a doctoral thesis named „The Analysis of structural degradation of ship’s hull“.
He started working as a teaching assistant at the Faculty of Maritime Studies in 1997. Since 2004, he has been engaged as an assistant on the following subjects: Ships Maintenance and Security, Ships Surveying Techniques, Ship Machinery Complex, Ship Auxiliaries Machines, Engineering Graphic, Ship Terotechnology, Mechanics and Theory of Risk and Maintenance.
He was promoted to Assistant Professor for subjects Ships Maintenance and Security, Ships’ inspection techniques and survey ad Computer and Engineering Graphic in 2013.
He gained the academic title of Associate Professor for the field of maritime sciences at the Faculty of Maritime Studies Kotor, University of Montenegro on 03rd July 2018.
He gained the academic title of Full Professor for the field of maritime sciences at the Faculty of Maritime Studies Kotor, University of Montenegro on 19rd July 2023.
Starting from 2005 he has performed the duties of the head of the quality system department at the Faculty. Since 2014 he was a vice dean for international education, and on 25th September 2017 he was appointed as Dean of Faculty of Maritime Studies Kotor.
Prof Špiro Ivošević is an author of more than fifty papers published in relevant scientific journals, national and international conferences and he participated in many national and international projects (BLATERAL PROJECT Slovenia and Serbia, TEMPUS-MArED, HERD, HERIC-Edumar, EUREKA-PROCHA-SMA that took place at Faculty of Maritime Studies Kotor.

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Published

2025-03-28

Issue

On-line first – 39/1 - June 2025 edition

Section

Original scientific papers

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Copyright (c) 2024 Miloš Bogdanović, Špiro Ivošević

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