Nuclear power plant continues to raise interest, concern

SHKODRA, April 27 – Scores of people took part last weekend at a protest in the northern city of Shkodra against the alleged building of a nuclear reactor in the Shkodra region.
Despite the government’s assurances that the process was only in the initial stages and no decision of where the plant will be placed could be made, the protestors asked for a referendum before deciding on the location.
It was natural that the protest already attracted the interest of the neighboring Montenegrin media which had also sent their cameras.
Montenegro is concerned about a plant built on Lake Shkodra which it shares with Albania.
Despite the contradictory reports, the idea continues to attract the attention of different outlets in the world media market.
Prime Minister Sali Berisha started the idea two years ago saying Albania was interested in alternative power resources and that nuclear energy was one of them.
Neighboring Italy was interested in having a nuclear power source close to its territory since a referendum prevents it from building a reactor themselves.
Until now the idea has been supported by Croatia.
Berisha and his Croatian counterpart Ivo Sanader are likely trying to get more support from the other countries in the area.
The next step would then be to ask for an approval from the Vienna-Based agency and also look for billions of Euros needed for the project.
Usually the process takes many years but there has been increased concern and fear of the idea. The Albanian opposition has openly said it would immediately turn it down if it came to power after the June 28th elections.