From August 2025 through July 2026, almost two-thirds of Montenegro’s electricity consumption was supplied by low-carbon generation. Hydropower provided more than half of the total, at about 52%, while wind contributed roughly 9% and solar about 4%. Fossil generation, entirely coal, supplied around a quarter of electricity consumption, and net imports covered the remaining 10%. Montenegro therefore has a strong clean electricity foundation, but coal remains a substantial source of climate-changing emissions and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Montenegro?

The latest figures do not show Montenegro reaching new heights in electricity consumption or clean generation per person. In 2026, electricity consumption stood at about 5,500 kWh per person, around 2,100 kWh—or 28%—below the record of roughly 7,600 kWh set in 2006. Low-carbon electricity generation reached about 3,600 kWh per person, approximately 750 kWh—or 17%—below its 2010 record. These shortfalls are concerning: expanding clean electricity generation would help Montenegro meet future demand from electrification and growing digital infrastructure. However, comparisons with historical records alone do not establish whether consumption is currently rising or falling year to year.

Suggestions

Montenegro can build on its clean electricity base by accelerating solar and wind deployment and considering nuclear electricity through domestic planning or regional partnerships. Nearby North Macedonia generates 40% of its electricity from solar, while Albania reaches 18% and Greece 17%, offering relevant regional examples for expanding Montenegro’s much smaller solar share. Greece also generates 21% of its electricity from wind, demonstrating scope for further wind development. For nuclear electricity, nearby Slovenia generates 40% and Bulgaria 37%, while Slovakia reaches roughly two-thirds. Their experience offers useful lessons in developing dependable low-carbon electricity alongside solar, wind and hydropower. Stronger grids and regional cooperation would support this expansion.

History

The supplied history of Montenegro’s low-carbon electricity generation is dominated by fluctuations in hydropower. After a decline of 0.5 TWh in 2007, consecutive gains from 2008 through 2010 added a combined 1.5 TWh. The early 2010s brought a sharp 1.5 TWh fall in 2011, followed by a combined recovery of 1.3 TWh in 2012–2013. Further declines in 2014–2015 and 2017 were interrupted by growth in 2016, before a strong 1.1 TWh rebound in 2018. From 2019 onward, gains and losses continued to alternate: generation fell in 2019–2020, rose in 2021, fell in 2022 and recovered in 2023. Declines totaling 0.8 TWh in 2024–2025 were followed by a welcome 0.4 TWh increase in 2026. This uneven record reinforces the value of adding more solar, wind and nuclear electricity to achieve sustained clean generation growth.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Aug 2025 – Jul 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.