Government must control HPPs’ impact on environment

Climate changes are affecting Albania, and higher temperatures are expected to cause drought, which will be followed by damages in the environment and economy, making it difficult to produce renewable energy, Top Channel said in a report.

Environmental experts say permits for hydropower plants, 499 in total as noted by the Agency of Natural Resources, without respecting the legal criteria, are hurting the natural ecosystem of rivers throughout the country, according to Emirjeta Adhami, specialist at the Institute for Nature Conservation in Albania (INCA).

The civil society applauded the government’s decision to stop the construction of hydropower plants in protected areas, but asked the government to intervene with investors so that they respect all obligations and protect the environment, the article said. INCA is part of an initiative for a moratorium on issuing licenses for hydropower concessions in the territory of the country. The group consists of environmental civil society organizations.