Šahmanović at Oxford: Montenegro as an Example of Energy Transition on the Path to the EU

Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović, PhD, delivered a lecture at Pembroke College, University of Oxford, as part of the prestigious SCR Speaker Series, presenting Montenegro’s experience in energy transition, European integration, and the development of a safer and more sustainable energy system. The lecture, titled “Energy Transition on the Path to the EU: Leadership, Resilience and Transformation – A Case Study of Montenegro,” provided an opportunity at one of the world’s oldest and most distinguished universities to discuss the role of small states in major European energy changes, as well as how Montenegro is gradually changing its position on Europe’s energy map through reforms, investment, and regional cooperation. He paid particular attention to the experiences of Montenegro and the Western Balkans, a region with significant energy potential whose further development requires stronger integration with the European market, infrastructure modernization, and a stable investment environment. The minister presented the reform processes Montenegro is implementing as part of its European integration, emphasizing that alignment with European rules is not merely an obligation on the path to EU membership, but also an opportunity to build a more modern, competitive, and resilient energy sector. A special part of the lecture focused on leadership in times of major change—specifically, states’ ability to turn long-term energy policies into concrete results while preserving security of supply and the economic interests of citizens and businesses. Although small in size and population, Montenegro has the opportunity to become an important part of the European energy system, thanks to its geographic position, natural resources, connections with neighboring markets, and increasingly strong orientation toward clean energy.