Residents of Gornja Brezna: Alcasar Energy Enters Our Property Without Permission and Measures What They Plan to Take

The residents of Gornja Brezna issued a statement today, claiming that surveyors hired by the company Alcasar Energy entered their private properties two days ago without the owners’ knowledge or consent and conducted measurements along the planned route of a transmission line intended to connect the wind farm in the municipality of Šavnik with the substation in Gornja Brezna.

In their statement, the residents say the property owner accidentally saw the uninvited guests and asked them what they were doing on his land.

“He asked them what they were doing there and by what right they were entering his property without permission. They began stammering. He confiscated the sketches they were making and escorted them off his land, warning them not to return. Who knows how many other properties they have ‘invaded’ between Šavnik and Gornja Brezna, unlawfully surveying private land, given that the transmission line is 22 kilometers long,” the residents stated.

They point out that six transmission towers are planned to be built in Gornja Brezna, but the investor has made no agreements with the property owners.

The residents recall that their properties were previously targeted by the Montenegrin Transmission System (CGES) during the construction of the 400kV transmission line for the submarine cable. That company, they say, also entered private land without knowledge or consent and installed towers.

“Now, an energy agreement with the United Arab Emirates is being announced, and we fear it will follow the same pattern as the already signed agreement on tourism and real estate — where the Montenegrin state declares a ‘public interest’ for private projects, allowing investors to seize and destroy our land to make millions,” the residents of Gornja Brezna said.

They add that the only “public interest” from private wind farms in Montenegro lies in investors leasing state land for laughable prices of 20 to 30 euro cents per square meter — and offering the same to private owners.

They stress that the properties over which transmission lines are built will be irreversibly damaged for housing, agriculture, or tourism. Moreover, they add, the price of electricity from wind farms is up to 30% more expensive than imported electricity.

“This price difference is paid by citizens through their electricity bills. So, in this case, the public are the only victims, while the private investors are the only ones who profit — millions. A close example is the Krnovo wind farm, which earns over €20 million annually and employs only one person,” they said.

The residents warn they are not prepared to lose their land for the private benefit of privileged individuals.

“We have already fought once — and won. We’ll do it again if we have to. We tell both the government and investors: you’ll have to put us all in jail first if you think you’re going to push this through,” concluded the residents of Gornja Brezna.