TIRANA, November 27
The Confederation of Albanian Industry (Konfindustria) made an official appeal to the Albanian Prime Minister and to other decision making institutions on the interruption of legal proceedings on the construction of energy projects on Vjosa River, including Kalivac Hydro Power Plant (HPP), Monitor Magazine reported.
This moratorium is required in order to conduct new comprehensive research studies that currently are not available.
According to the Confederation of the Albanian Industry, it is unacceptable that the energy projects on Vjosa River are based on 10-20-year-old economic surveys. Meanwhile, the global crisis and recent improvements in the energy network, options for new models of sustainable economic development have undergone radical change. Therefore, Konfindustria says that it is necessary to conduct comprehensive environmental surveys according to the European Union (EU) standards. Konfindustria highlights that these surveys are not part of the current Albanian legislation on concessionary contracts. It also stresses that Vjosa River which has the status of the Last Wild River of Europe, is applauded by international experts from the tourism industry. They say that it has a major potential for tourism development and income generating for the local and national economy.
Moreover, regarding Kalivac HPP the Confederation of Albanian Industry says that the moratorium is necessary in order to avoid possible legal claims in international arbitration and millions of Euros lost in fines and penalties.
The Konfindustria in its request took into consideration the stance of businesses, local power representatives, civil society, academics, and other stakeholders. During the month of October, Konfindustria held the First International Forum on the Sustainable Development of Vjosa River Region that was attended by representatives of the nine municipalities in Albania and Greece that the river runs through.
News Source: Monitor
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