Albanian environmentalists against power plant in Durres

TIRANA, April 5 – Albanian environmentalists opposed the environmental impact study by the Italian company Enel of its Porto Romano coal-fired thermal power plant. They asked the government to revise or cancel the project.
The Ekolevizja movement, an organization comprising several Albanian environmental NGOs, said the Italian company was ignoring Albanian laws in its environmental impact study of the plant. They claimed they had not properly presented the nation’s energy strategy and had given misleading information on the application of technologies for carbon capture emissions.
“The evaluation of the environmental impact presented by Enel contains serious errors and misleading information. We have requested the Ministry of Environment to cancel the required permissions for this project’s construction,” said Merita Mansaku, Albania regional coordinator for CEE Bankwatch Network.
Environmental groups estimate that, if the Albanian government proceeds with the project proposed by Enel, its carbon-fired thermal-power plants will increase carbon emissions in Albania by between 6 to 7 million tons every year, doubling current emission levels.
The Albanian government has yet to take the decision to approve its construction.
Enel plans to build two 800 megawatt coal-fired thermal power plants in the Porto Romano area outside the port city of Durres. The company ultimately plans to extend the plant to a generating capacity of approximately 1,300 megawatts, which would supply electricity to both the Italian and Albanian markets.
Almost all of Albania’s domestically-produced electricity is generated by hydropower plants, which are badly affected by drought.
Favored by good rainy weather Albania continues to sell electricity to its neighbors in April. The KESH reported it would sell 53.360 MWh in April.