The Ministry of Energy (hereinafter: the Ministry) invites interested energy entities engaged in electricity supply activities to submit bids in accordance with the Tender Documentation for the selection of the supplier of last resort and vulnerable customers for electricity supply (hereinafter: Tender Documentation). The selection of the supplier is conducted through a public bidding procedure.
1. Subject of Public Bidding
The subject of public bidding is the selection of the supplier of last resort and vulnerable customers for electricity supply for a period of three calendar years (2026, 2027, and 2028).
The supplier of last resort and vulnerable customers provides electricity supply to:
- households and small consumers not classified as households connected to distribution systems at 0.4 kV, who, without their fault, are left without a supplier or a supply contract, and for whom the supplier is obliged to take over the supply based on a notification from the previous supplier, for a maximum period of three months, if the previous supplier is unable to continue supply due to bankruptcy or loss of license, or if the consumer has not found a new supplier;
- households and small consumers not classified as households connected to distribution systems at 0.4 kV who choose to be supplied by the supplier of last resort and vulnerable customers; and
- vulnerable customers, including those who are medically and socially disadvantaged and those who are socially disadvantaged.
The supply of vulnerable customers who are medically and socially disadvantaged is provided with subsidies for monthly electricity bills, and the suspension of electricity supply is prohibited for this group, regardless of outstanding electricity consumption obligations.
The supply of vulnerable customers who are socially disadvantaged is provided with a prohibition on electricity supply suspension from the beginning of October to the end of April, regardless of outstanding electricity consumption obligations.
The supplier of last resort and vulnerable customers also supplies end customers connected to the transmission system and other end customers connected to the distribution system who, without their fault, are left without supply, at prices formed in accordance with Article 58 of the Energy Law and the Methodology for Determining Prices Applied by the Supplier of Last Resort and Vulnerable Customers (“Official Gazette of Montenegro”, No. 83/16). Before starting the supply, such customers must provide and, if necessary, renew a bank guarantee equivalent to three months’ estimated consumption based on these prices and submit it to the supplier of last resort and vulnerable customers.
The bidder must offer unit prices of electricity per tariff elements (higher, lower, and unified tariff) for the first year of supply. The ratio between tariff elements for electricity consumed in higher and lower tariffs cannot exceed 3:1, according to the General Conditions for Electricity Supply (“Official Gazette of Montenegro”, No. 70/16).
The bidder must propose formulas for determining electricity prices for the second and third year of supply, using clear and easily verifiable parameters to determine price levels.
The supplier of last resort and vulnerable customers selected through public bidding must apply the offered unit prices per tariff elements for the first year of supply and the prices for the second and third years determined according to the offered formulas, ensuring that the ratio between tariff elements for the second and third years remains the same as in the first year.
2. Conditions for Participation in the Public Bidding Process
The right to participate in the public bidding process under this public announcement is granted to any domestic or foreign company, legal entity, or entrepreneur (hereinafter: Bidder) that:
- meets the conditions for electricity supply in Montenegro, the Energy Community, or an EU member state;
- is registered for electricity supply activities with the competent authority;
- has fulfilled tax obligations in its country of residence;
- has a representative who has not been convicted of abuse of office, organized crime with elements of corruption, money laundering, or fraud, making them unsuitable for the position;
- meets financial capability requirements, having an average annual gross revenue exceeding €50 million (or equivalent in another currency) for three business years (2021, 2022, and 2023);
- meets technical and staffing requirements for electricity supply operations, including:
- at least 50 employees;
- an information system for calculation, invoicing, and billing to end customers for electricity consumption;
7. has engaged in electricity supply operations for at least three calendar years (2022, 2023, and 2024), with an annual supply volume of no less than 1,500 GWh;
8. can contract electricity purchases or possesses generation capacities of at least 1,000 GWh;
9. has provided a bid bond in the amount of €25,000, payable on first demand, without objection, in the format specified in the Tender Documentation, or proof of a cash deposit of the same amount.
The bid bond or cash deposit must be valid for 120 days from the bid submission deadline.
3. Criteria for Bid Evaluation
Bids are evaluated and ranked based on the following criteria:
| Criterion | Points |
| Offered electricity price | 0-50 |
| Financial capability of the bidder | 0-20 |
| Supply security | 0-20 |
| – Ability to secure electricity supply | 0-10 |
| – Share of electricity from own sources | 0-10 |
| Contribution to environmental protection | 0-10 |
4. Purchase of Tender Documentation
The bidder has the right to participate in the public bidding process provided they purchase the Tender Documentation. The Ministry issues a confirmation of purchase and maintains a registry of purchasers. The Tender Documentation price is €1,500 and must be paid to the Budget Account of Montenegro: 832-1005-92, with the reference “Purchase of Tender Documentation for the Selection of the Supplier of Last Resort and Vulnerable Customers for Electricity Supply.”
5. Submission of Bids
Bids must be submitted in Montenegrin. If documents are in a foreign language, a certified translation must be included.
Bids must be submitted to: Ministry of Energy Rimski trg 46, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro
The deadline for submission is March 14, 2025, by 12:00 PM.
6. Contact Information
For additional information, bidders may contact: Maja Pavićević, email: maja.pavicevic@men.gov.me
7. Bid Opening
Bids will be opened by the Commission for Bid Opening and Evaluation on March 14, 2025, at 1:00 PM at the Ministry’s premises in Podgorica.
8. Amendments to the Public Announcement
Amendments to this announcement will be published in the same manner as the original announcement.
The Ministry of Energy
