are significant reductions in energy intensity and GHG emissions, which show that the country is well on its way to achieving and exceeding the EU 20-20-20 goals. These goals are achievable on the condition that Montenegro does not make counterproductive development decisions in the coming period, that is, if it implements policies that would replace the spontaneous improvements noted in the past decade and ensure the continuation of positive trends. However, there are also worrying signals, especially when it comes to development plans. Projections of trends in energy efficiency, given in the Energy Development Strategy (eg reduction of energy intensity by about 40% by 2030, compared to 2010 - from 29,770 MJ to 17,692 MJ, per thousand euros of GDP expressed in euros from 2000 ), will not be sufficient to bridge the still large gap between the Montenegrin and European economies and ensure the monitoring of ambitious and advanced EU policies. If insufficiently ambitious national goals in the field of energy efficiency prevail, this will have a negative impact on the sustainability of the energy sector, but also contribute to missing other opportunities (such as reducing energy costs and increasing competitiveness). The plans of the national energy strategy and the activities that are currently being carried out in order to start the construction of the new block of the Thermal Power Plant in Pljevlje, as well as on the exploration and production of hydrocarbons, are a special cause for concern. Namely, these plans and activities must be seen in the context of policies that