Estimates that the state-owned power company HEP had given before the construction of hydro power plant Lešće weren’t accurate, said Jagoda Munić from Green Action, portal H-alter reported. After the company acknowledged it spent HRK 1 million (EUR 131,000) to mitigate the environmental damage the facility caused, she stressed this is an example of what the projects of Ombla and Kosinj may have caused.
During the construction of the plant in central Croatia, launched in 2010, the expenses turned out to be EUR 40 million bigger than predicted. The organization had HEP report on the rehabilitation costs by insisting on the Law on the Right to Access Information. The company conceded long-term repair programme still needs to be devised.
Green Action said the 42 MW power plant caused intensive erosion downstream from the dam, hurt fish stock and destroyed local roads. Also, the microclimate has changed and the damage to biodiversity can’t even be estimated, activists said.
