[Highlight] More coal-fired shenanigans lie in store for Albania

The public hearing in Durres on January 27 saw the presentation of the project's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that has been prepared by Environmental Resources Management consultancy company. The Porto Romano energy complex includes a thermo power plant, marine facilities and distribution lines connecting the plant with Tirana and Italy.

Although under Albanian legislation the full project EIA should have been submitted to the public debate, the presented study is of limited scope. The investor and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Administration refused to publicly release the EIA when they were approached about disclosure by representatives of Albanian environmental organisations.

The public hearing also heard from the head of the Durres Municipality, Vangjush Dako, who highlighted the trend of foreign investments into pollution-heavy industry in Albania. Dako appealed to the investors to offer environmentally sound, clean-energy generating alternatives, and invited the environmental organisations and state authorities to contribute to a search for solutions that take into account the social and economical interests of the city.

“The concept of clean carbon is a lie,” stated Mr. Dako. “We do not want to prejudge this power plant but we need to bear in mind that the city of Durres is already suffering the consequences of past industrial developments.”

Enel's presentation of the power plant received several critiques from the public audience. The company is also reportedly participating in the tender for the concession for building and operating the Durres thermo-power plant, though no detailed information on the tender process and conditions is yet available.

At the meeting, the “Ekolevizja” coalition of Albanian environmental groups presented a position paper with preliminary comments on the EIA, accompanied by the following demands:

The preparation of a Strategic Environmental Assessment by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy for the whole energy and industrial park in Porto Romano

The preparation of an alternative project EIA by private experts

The organisation of a referendum in the Durres region regarding the thermo power plant, in order to reflect on the opinions of local people to be directly affected by the pollution

The position paper was distributed to key Albanian authorities such as the prime-minister, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Administration, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy, and various municipalities of the towns surrounding Durres.

January's meeting in Durres had been preceded by a public hearing in the village of Katundi I Ri on the outskirts of Durres in September last year. Albanian environmentalists however argued that the meeting was too narrow in scope and did not provide grounds for discussion with people from all the potentially affected areas. As a result, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Administration recommended that public consultations on the project do involve larger areas such as Durres.