Photo: Pixabay
Previously planned gas-fired power plant at Peruća Lake in Croatia has been cancelled after Dalmatia county assembly found itself under the attacks from politicians and NGO’s, concerned about the environmental effects. Instead, a new focus has been cast on renewable energy – water, sun and wind.
This is the main conclusion of the special session of the County Assembly on the protection of the Cetina river basin, Croatian media reported. The meeting was proceeded by a press conference and a protest organized by the opponents of the cogeneration power plant construction, who warned again that they would prevent the project with their bodies, if needed, Total-Croatia reported, citing Vecernji.hr.
According to one group of experts present at the session, the thermal power plant (TPP) at Peruća, the second largest artificial lake in Croatia, would not have a significant impact on the health of the people living in the area. Others, however, argued that TPP would significantly pollute the area, including drinking water.
The new Peruća TPP project has been controversial from the start, with numerous opponents criticizing it due to environmental concerns, and with the proponents accusing the other side of being uninformed.
According to the plan, now annulled, the combined cycle power plant was supposed to be located on the right shore of the Peruća reservoir, about 500 metres upstream from the Peruća barrage, at the site of a former quarry.
The value of this location is reflected in the vicinity of the reservoir and water needed for to cool the plant, the relatively short distance from the main pipeline which passes through Dugopolje, the similarly small distance from Konjsko substation, the largest installation in the transmission network in Dalmatia, as well as the nearby high number of existing and planned solar and wind power installations.
This summer my daughter and I traveled from Minnesota to Croatia for an incredible 17 day vacation. My father’s side of the family is from Croatia, so this was an “extra-special” trip. We might be biased, but we found Croatia to be an absolutely extraordinary place.
In the United States Minnesota is known as the “land of 10,000 lakes,” and Minnesotans are proud of the natural beauty of their state. Of course, my daughter and I would find ourselves comparing Croatia to Minnesota, and I have to say that Croatia easily won. We were amazed at how nature preserves and incredibly clean water could co-exist with nearby cities and towns. Our favorite cities were Zadar and Omis. The path of the Cetina River through Omis is unique and unforgettable!
Needless to say, I was totally dismayed when I found out about the planned power plant on Peruca Lake and its potential to pollute the Cetina River. I want to thank all the people who fought to stop the construction of the power plant; I also want to thank balkangreenenergynews.com for communicating the good news.
My daughter and I plan to return to Croatia and set aside some time for a boat trip on the Cetina River. I hope the Croatian government realizes how important the environment is to tourists. No one in the U.S. needs to travel very far to find polluted water and second-rate nature preserves. Go green Croatia!