Albania to stop construction of hydro power plants over environmental issues

Albanian Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku said that she would stop the construction of new hydro power plants and initiate an investigation about the 182 permits issued for the construction of 440 facilities.

The announcement followed a meeting with the residents of Gramsh, who are protesting against the construction of two HPPs on the river Devoll. The power plants are supposed to be built close to the Holta Canyon, a popular tourist destination.

The concession for these power plants had been approved by the previous minister of infrastructure and energy, Damian Gjiknuri, who was succeeded by Balluku two weeks ago.

As Reuters reports, Balluku said it was time to take stock of why most of the contracts were not “operational”, to evaluate the policy of encouraging small hydropower plants, and to decide upon the way forward.

We need a perfect balance between economic development and the protection of the our natural riches, which are the greatest wealth we Albanians have, Balluku said in a statement.

Since mid-2000 when a shortage of electricity supply caused long power cuts, successive Albanian governments have signed contracts to build, mostly small, hydropower plants, but so far only 96 plants are fully operational, Balluku said.

Balluku said the damage these small hydro power plants caused could outweigh any economic gain.

She added that she had decided to freeze all non-operational contracts until there is a report detailing their status.

The review will ascertain if contractors have built the plants as specified and to deadline, and whether they have complied with environmental requirements, she said.

Resistance to construction of HPPs in the region

In the past few years, there is an increasing resistance among citizens against the construction small and regular hydro power plants in the region, including Serbia, Albania and B&H.

For several years, citizens of Albania have been protesting the construction of several HPPs on the rivers Vjose, Osum and Valbona.

Last August, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) published the third overview of environmental protection in Albania, in which it says that a cumulative estimate of the impact of HPPs, especially in protected areas, has not been performed.

Albania gets 100% of its electrical energy from HPPs.

According to the Energy Community Secretariat, Albania had around 120 MW of installed power in SHPPs at the end of 2017, with only B&H having more of all the countries of the region.

UNECE Geneva

Energy Community Secretariat Viena

Ministry of Energy of Albania

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

UNECE

Energy Community Secretariat

Belinda Balluku

construction of hydro power plants in Albania

hydro power plant on the Devoll

Devoll

Damian Gjiknuri

Vjose

Osum

Valbona