EcoNews No. 6

Dear friends,

This is the periodic newsletter of EcoAlbania (The Center for Protection of Natural Ecosystems in Albania). Here you can find the latest news on our work and activities, as well as publications regarding important environmental issues in Albania.

You're kindly invited to share it with your friends and networks!

Der Spiegel: The last blue wonder of Europe

The German newspaper "Der Spiegel" gives to Vjosa again an important space among other news. Now it is focused at the scientists engagement to study the biodiversity of the Vjosa and to give scientific arguments against the HPP developments in Europe's last wild river.

Environmental education with the youngsters in Lëpushë

Lëpushë, Shkodra, August 2017. For the third year, EcoAlbania was part of the summer school held in the Albanian Alps organized by Balkans Peace Park Project. During the five days of summer school from August 14th to the 18th, EcoAlbania was in Lëpushë carrying out lesson sessions with focus on environmental education with the youngsters of the area.

Two new animal species discovered in the area of projected dam on Vjosa

Earlier this year in April, 25 scientists from 4 countries researched the river section of the Vjosa in the area of the projected hydropower plant Poçem. Today, they are presenting their findings in Tirana. In only one week, 132 animal species were discovered, among them a fish as well as a stonefly species previously entirely unknown to science. The stonefly species will be named after its host, Isoperla vjosae. The new fish species is yet to be named. Several comparative tests must still be conducted in order to be entirely certain that it is indeed a new fish species.

Energy Talk with experts and youth in Tirana

During a meeting organized by EcoAlbania in Tirana, Mr. Gjergji Simaku, Head of Renewables and Energy Efficiency Policy at the Ministry of Energy and Industry, Mr. Erjon Tase, Executive Director of the Academy of Political Studies, EcoAlbania and EDEN Centre staff members introduced the problematic and ongoing work regarding efficient use of energy.

Tirana: More than 4000 people at concert for Europe’s last wild river

Under the slogan “Mos ma prek Vjosën! (Hands off Vjosa!)”, a special kind of concert took place at the main square in Tirana last night. In front of over 4000 people, prominent Albanian musicians sang for the protection of the Vjosa river and against the planned dam projects.

New hydropower report: Dam tsunami in the Balkans is speeding up

Vienna, Radolfzell, Tirana 30.11.2017. A new data set makes the extent of the threat to the Blue Heart of Europe visible: the dam tsunami has started to roll. Currently, between Slovenia and Greece, about 2,800 hydropower plants are being planned, 187 are under construction, more than 1,000 of those (or 37%) inside protected areas (118 in national parks, 547 in Natura 2000 areas, the rest inside high level national categories). Since 2015 about 160 - 180 hydropower plants have been constructed in that region.

New initiatives for energy efficiency in Tirana

A meeting with representatives of Tirana Municipality, Municipal Council and experts on energy efficiency in Tirana was held on December 1st, 2017. The participants were introduced to some of the data from the study conducted by EcoAlbania and EDEN Center on “energy poverty” and energy performance in Tirana. They discussed on the different ways of interpretation the collected data, as well as on the concrete steps that should be taken in addressing the problems.

Bern Convention: Macedonian government is urged to halt construction of hydropower plants in national park

Plans for 17 hydropower plants throughout Macedonia’s Mavrovo National Park must be immediately suspended, so the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention ruled at its annual meeting on December, 5-8. The Standing Committee emphasizes its special concerns with regard to the still ongoing developments of small hydropower plants within the park.

Albanian industrial confederation demands halt of dam plans on Vjosa River

The opposition against the projected hydropower plants on the Vjosa River is receiving further support. In an open letter to the country´s Minister of Energy and Industry, the Confederation of Albanian industries is calling for a moratorium on the construction of dams on the Vjosa River and its tributaries.

New Bankwatch study: European-financed small hydropower plants destroy Albania’s landscapes

A field visits to the Rrapuni and Tërnovë hydropower plants in June 2017 showed that there is an almost complete lack of implementation of the monitoring by the Albanian authorities. Both plants are financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). In both cases, environmental destruction is accompanied by a shortage of water for the local community use. Additional infrastructure, such as access roads has brought further destruction to pristine environment.

For more information on EcoAlbania's work you can visit our webpage:

www.ecoalbania.org and our YouTube channel.