While fire engulfed the forests in Puka in northern Albania, the municipality launched public consultations for a wind power project right in the affected area. Earlier, a subsidiary of Supernova Green Energy proposed to build such a facility.
Dozens of wildfires ravaged Albania this summer. Some burned through parts of the municipalities of Puka and Fushë-Arrëz in the north, forcing evacuations. During the forest fires on the nearby mountains of Tërbun and Gojan, the local authority in Puka issued a notice about forthcoming public discussions regarding a wind park proposal right in the affected area, Albanian media reported.
The call came out on August 20, while the series of meetings with the residents are scheduled for September 9 and 10. Before the announcement, some complained that the institutions reacted too late to the forest fire. Now they are outraged with the timing, and speculation has emerged that the fire could be connected with the potential investment.
Notably, a public hearing was already held in late April, Citizens.al wrote. The potential investment would require 28.6 hectares of the local forest.
The project covers the areas of Tërbun, Livadh-Hamëz, Kuzhnen, Gojan-Shkozë and Gomsiqe.
Company planning two wind farms in northern Albania
A firm called Wind Stream, closed two years ago, was working on its Tërbun wind park project in the area.
Data from the Energy Regulatory Authority (ERE) shows it would have 158.4 MW in capacity. The developer applied for a grid connection in 2023. It was owned by Supernova Green Energy, according to the QKB business register.
Via the same special purpose vehicle, the Austria-based company was also working on the Sheldije wind farm project of 50.4 MW. The location is also in the Shkodër (Shkodra) county.
Protester claims mountains are burnt for wind, solar power, construction projects
A controversial project for a luxury resort in a protected coastal area has sparked the so-called Flamingo Revolution. Protests with the demand for the government’s resignation are held every day, for the last three months.
At yesterday’s gathering, activist Arben Kola accused the authorities of concealing financial and oligarchic interests behind the fires. He claimed that mountains are being burnt for wind turbines, solar power and construction projects.
Spain, Italy and Greece have imposed bans on the construction of wind parks in burnt areas, to prevent forests from arson for such projects, while also countering conspiracy theories.
There is not a single operational wind power plant in Albania yet.
