Tirana is worried the proposed Zhuri hydroelectric plant will change or diminish the water flow to Albania’s own power projects downstream.
TIRANA/PRISHTINA, Sept. 1 – Kosovo’s plans to build a new hydroelectric power plant near Prizren, at Zhuri, have caused concern in Albania, which has several existing power plants and plans to build more downstream from the Kosovo planned site.
Kosovar authorities say the hydropower plant will not have significant negative effects on the territory of Albania, and it is part of a study by the World Bank. However, once the project became public, there were negative first reactions due to a number of issues that night cause problems.
Albanian Energy Minister Dritan Prifti has given signals that the Albanian government can’t just wave the project by because it could damage 18 concession contracts already issued by Albania.
“The truth is that if they build the plant in Kosovo, in the Republic of Albania, it will damage about 18 concessions granted downstream. We will protect the concessions, which we have given people, we will protect the investments being made at the border of the Republic of Albania,” Prifti said.
Experts in the border area of Kukes say the Kosovo project will bring a series of legal, social, environmental and financial problems.
They say a change in the river flow in Albania would have a very harmful effect on the lives of residents in 11 northern municipalities of Kukes, for which the river is often a vital economic lifeline in what is otherwise the poorest area of Albania.
Legally, the Kosovo project could also violate the International Helsinki Convention on the Protection of the use of transboundary water flows and in particular the principle of not changing the natural flow of rivers and the principle of using reasonable amounts of water, according to report by German public broadcaster DW.
The Kosovo project at Zhuri would cost around 300 million euros but is expected to have anther 150 million euros in secondary costs, including compensation for displaced people. With high costs, experts say the investment might not even be worth it.
The two countries’ governments which enjoy a tight partnership say there will be proper negotiations between experts before the project goes ahead.
Prifti said another option on the table would mean having a smaller plant and less power would be generated through free-flowing water which would not affect the flow downstream in Albania.
