Electricity

Energy Community receives complaint against Albania over Kalivac, Pocem hydropower plants

Photo: Riverwatch

Published

February 27, 2019

Country

Comments

comments icon

0

Share

Published:

February 27, 2019

Country:

Comments:

comments icon

0

Share

EcoAlbania, Riverwatch and EuroNatur have sent a complaint to the Energy Community (EnC) against the Albanian Government over procedures for the Kalivac and Pocem hydropower projects. The three civil society organizations behind the campaign for the protection of the Vjosa River have raised concerns that the procedures for the two hydropower plants (HPPs) are not in line with EnC rules.

According to Riverwatch’s press release, this is the first time a complaint has been filed with the Energy Community regarding hydropower projects in Albania.

The complaint addresses violations of the EU Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (EIA) related to the hydropower projects Kalivac and Pocem. The EIA Directive is an integral part of the EnC’s regulatory framework.

“Furthermore, both the company and public authorities failed to meet public consultation requirements. The complaint is emphasizing the evident infringements of Energy Community rules,” Riverwatch said.

Olsi Nika from EcoAlbania noted that this is another step in their long fight against the hydropower projects on the Vjosa River.

“We are convinced that the Albanian Government is breaking not only Albanian law but also its commitment to the EnC. The two HPPs are not even economically viable, as social and environmental costs are underestimated,” she said.

Ulrich Eichelmann of Riverwatch expects the Energy Community to start an infringement procedure against Albania within the next six months. He hopes that the dam projects would have to be stopped.

The investor in EUR 125 million Kalivac HPP is the joint venture Ayen-Alb, a consortium of Albania’s Fusha and the Turke’s Ayen energi, while the investor in EUR 160 million Pocem HPP are Turkish companies Ayen Enerji Sirketi Anonymous and Cinar-San Hafriyat Nakliyat Turizm Insaat San Ve Tic, the three organizations said in a complaint.

The campaign “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” aims to protect the most valuable rivers in the Balkans from a tsunami of about 2,800 dam projects.

A few days ago in Podgorica, Western Balkan countries once again confirmed their ambition to encourage decarbonization, renewables, and energy efficiency.

But, at the same meeting  Johannes Hahn, European commissioner for enlargement negotiations and neighborhood policy, warned these countries that the construction of HPPs must be in line with the sustainable development principles and the future EU requirements for countries in the region.

Comments (0)

Be the first one to comment on this article.

Enter Your Comment
Please wait... Please fill in the required fields. There seems to be an error, please refresh the page and try again. Your comment has been sent.

Related Articles

belgrade energy forum bef 2025 western balkans region cooperation

BEF 2025: Regional cooperation can facilitate energy transition, energy security

22 May 2025 - Belgrade Energy Forum featured representatives from the governments of Montenegro, Croatia, Hungary, the Republic of Srpska, and Serbia, and from UNECE

heating plant ljubljana energetika te tol

Slovenia keeps phasing out coal as key heating plant boosts natural gas share to 60%

22 May 2025 - TE-TOL, the main district heating provider in the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, has taken over a newly built gas-steam unit

new york equinor empire wind

Equinor resumes New York offshore wind project of 810 MW after stop-work order lifted

21 May 2025 - The project's first phase, the 810 MW Empire Wind 1, is expected to generate electricity for some 500,000 homes in New York

Romania commission offshore wind study 3 GW 2035

Romania to commission offshore wind study, targeting 3 GW by 2035

21 May 2025 - Romania is receiving expressions of interest for a study identifying areas in the Black Sea for concessions for offshore wind farms