Businessmen who have concessions for building hydropower plants and do
not realize the projects, but apply for selling permits, are making an
illegal action, according to the Ministry of Energy and Industry.
Minister Damian Gjiknuri declared that after a detailed audit, these permits would be suspended according to the law.
“The public will be notified very soon about the agreements that are invalid. We did the same thing with mines. Our goal is very simple: the process continues. The agreements that are simply on paper and investors have shown no interest to continue, should not say any longer in the so called ‘black market’ of agreements, just to find a potential investor. It’s better for the state to take them and give it back to those who deserve them”, Gjiknuri declared.
Minister Gjiknuri declared that the investments of the Norwegian expert company “Statkraft”, which is working with the Banja hydropower plant, with an investment of 800 million USD, is the biggest for south-eastern Europe and has respected the environmental impact, which is a delicate point for all other companies.
“The state has given several projects without taking in consideration the environmental component. We are witnesses of the various social clashes today between investors and communities, due to the fact that the impact of these projects in various communities and environment has been ignored. The development of hydropower plants and their construction is very important. Albania needs other generalizations, but this should be done by respecting the environment”, Gjiknuri declared.
The agreement signed with the Norwegian company provides that the investors should also pave the connecting roads, which is important for the community too.
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