SAVE THE BLUE HEART OF EUROPE – THE BALKAN RIVERS
Europe´s wild jewel - The Vjosa River in Albania BEAUTIFUL, UNKNOWN AND THREATENED
The extensive braided river section near Tepelena would drown in a reservoir of the future Kalivaç dam (Romy Durst).
The Vjosa River in Albania is one of Europe’s last living wild rivers. Along its entire course of over 270 kilometers it is untamed and free flowing and characterized by beautiful canyons, braided river sections, islands, oxbows and meandering stretches. In some areas the riverbed expands over more than 2 km in width. Together with its tributaries, the Vjosa provides a dynamic, near-natural ecosystem. It is without par on this continent - a true, though unknown European natural heritage. On its first 80 kilometres the river flows through Greece and is named Aoos. In Albania it turns into Vjosa. The meandering lower part opens up into a valley with extensive wetlands providing habitats for spawning fish, migratory birds and others. Finally, it drains into the sea the north of the Narta lagoon – one of the biggest and ecologically richest lagoons of Albanian, designated as Managed Nature Reserve. The Vjosa is draining a total area of 6,700 km² in Albania and Greece and discharges an average of 204 m³/s into the Adriatic Sea. Left: Major river catchments of Albania with the Vjosa River basin marked in red. Source: Wikipedia
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Biodiversity Scientific knowledge about the Vjosa and its biodiversity is very limited. It is one of the least explored rivers in Europe: we might know more about the biodiversity of river systems in South America or Asia than we do about the Vjosa. Very few studies are at hand so far. But these few existing studies underscore the importance of the river valley as Albania’s biodiversity hotspot providing ideal aquatic habitats for numerous species. Left: The critically endangered European Eel. Dams would cut off its main habitats in the Vjosa catchment. Source: blickwinkel/ A. Hartl.
It hosts a viable population of the near threatened Otters (Lutra lutra) and various migratory fish # species, among them the critically endangered European eel (Anguilla Anguilla), as well as subendemic fish species like Ohrid loach (Cobitis ohridana) and Pindus stone loach (Oxynoemacheilus pindus). The flora of the Vjosa ecosystem is also impressive. The uppermost river section hosts a variety of endangered endemic plant species, such as the endangered Solenanthus albanicus. The lower valley is characterized by mixed Oak forests (Qurecus sp.) and strawberry trees (Arbutus andrachne); for the latter the Vjosa valley represents the only habitat in the country.
Social and cultural values
Rafting along the Vjosa. Source: Albanian Rafting Federation.
The Vjosa River has a special and crucial place in the daily lives of the people that live along its banks. Its terraces provide the villages with fertile land for agricultural activities such as crop production and livestock farming. The abundance and diversity of fish is vital for the economy and the well-being of local fishermen. Recreational tourism on the Vjosa and its tributaries is ever-increasing, particularly in recent years in which enthusiasts have started to enjoy activities such as rafting, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, etc.
Many small-scale businesses and new emerging eco-tourism companies have based their existence on the free-flowing waters of the Vjosa. Moreover, the Vjosa and its crystal-clear water have had an impact on the hearts of Albanians and their cultural values. Naming newly-born girls after the Vjosa continues to be very popular among Albanian parents since the name stands for the beauty of the river and its untouched nature.
The threats The biggest threat for rivers is hydropower. More than 100 new hydropower dams are to be built in all of Albania. Along the Albanian river section of the Vjosa, the Ministry of Energy intends to build eight dams. In the upper part, the Greek government is planning a dam project with the aim to divert about 70 million cubic meters per year through the River Kalamas for irrigation purposes.
Romy Durst
Right: The future Vjosa through the eyes of the hydropower lobby. Ministry of Trade and Energy of Albania, 2008.
The construction of these dams – or of just a single one of them - would destroy the incredible ecological value of the Vjosa River. It would alter its hydrological regime entirely and inhibit its natural sediment transport - the elementary force which shapes the highly dynamic morphological processes. The Vjosa is a European treasure. Its greatest value is its uncompromised intactness. The dams would destroy this unique ecosystem and its high potential for sustainable nature tourism in the future. The uppermost dam construction site. The dam would flood parts of the old village of Kaludh (Romy Durst).
The Kalivaç project The first hydropower plant that entered the implementation process is the Kalivaç project close to the city Tepelena. The construction of the Kalivaç dam started in 2007, but was halted several times. Initially, the main source of funding was the Italian Becchetti Group and Deutsche Bank. (http://www.begspa.com/eng/idroelettrico.htm). Highly dynamic meandering section in the middle river course –these habitats would be lost after dam construction (Romy Durst).
Currently, construction works are on hold once again (which they have been for the past two years), and the level of completion is still only at 30%. The Vjosa River is still free flowing – but for how much longer? The Kalivaç dam would stop the natural ‘heartbeat’ of the whole river system by blocking the sediment transport from the mountains down to the Adriatic Sea.
Right: The whole river stretch below the future Kalivaç dam – 100 km in length – would be impacted by erosion and altered hydrology (Ulrich Eichelmann).
Riverbed erosion below the dam would affect the entire stretch downstream, even impacting the river delta at the Adriatic Sea. The alluvial ecosystem would be degraded along almost 100 km. All aquatic and riverine habitats would be affected. The Vjosa River and its tributaries are particularly important to migrating fish species which depend on clean, cold, and gravel-rich mountain streams, characteristics that the 85 km long Drinos River the Vjosa´s main tributary - provides. The Drinos, as well as the upper Vjosa would be cut off from the lower, Vjosa valley as well as from the Adriatic Sea, destroying the major remaining habitat for the European eel and numerous other migrating fish species in Albania.
Facts & Figures Dam height: Dam length: Reservoir size: Capacity/ annual output: Average discharge at Kalivaç: Costs:
45m 350m 1.700 ha of submerged area 90 MW/ 400 GWh 145 m³/s 119 milion €
Conclusions Left: The upper river section, pristine gorges, crystal clear, cold water and gravel-rich river beds provide invaluable spawning sites for fish (Goran Šafarek).
We Demand - THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE ALBANIAN PRESIDENT TO ABANDON THE PLANS OF HYDROELECTRIC DEVELOPMENTS ALONG THE VJOSA RIVER. - THE PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION OF THE VOJSA RIVER VALLEY BY THE MINISTRY OF ENVRIRONMENT AND - TO ESTABLISH A VJOSA RIVER PROTECETD AREA IN ORDER TO PRESEVE ITS INTEGRITY.
The untouched Vjosa River is an ecosystem without par in Europe. It is one of the last natural, wild rivers in the entire continent. Scientifically, this river is almost like a “blank page”. The knowledge about its biodiversity, hydrology and sediment transport is very limited. Dam projects like Kalivaç are the river´s mayor threat, putting its biological wealth, ecological functions and hydrology at risk. One single dam along the river would destroy all these intrinsic values and functions, undermining the great ecotouristic potential of the area. Until now, the environmental impacts (biodiversity, natural flood protection and river bed erosion, etc.) of the Kalivaç project have not been properly assessed.
Save the Blue Heart of Europe Campaign The rivers on the Balkan Peninsula are among the best preserved ones in entire Europe. More than 60 % of all rivers in the region are in good or very good hydromorphological condition. Additionally, these rivers are major biodiversity hotspots. 69 fish species are endemic and more than 50 % of all European freshwater-mollusc species live on the Balkans. However, this “Blue Heart of Europe” is threatened by hydropower development: more than 570 new dams (> 1 MW) are projected from Slovenia to Albania. Therefore, the international NGOs Riverwatch and EuroNatur, together with their local partners, like EcoAlbania in Albania have launched the campaign “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” in cooperation with several national partner organizations, aiming to protect the most valuable rivers and river stretches in South Eastern Europe from destruction through uncontrolled hydropower development. More information: Contact:
www.riverwatch.eu/balkan-rivers www.euronatur.org/Blaues-Herz-Europas.1325.0.html info@balkanrivers.net www.ecoalbania.org
SAVE THE BLUE HEART OF EUROPE – THE BALKAN RIVERS
The Vjosa River BEAUTIFUL, UNKNOWN AND THREATENED
Vjosa River, Downstream Kalivaçi Construction site. Photo: B.Hoxha
The Vjosa River in Albania is one of Europe’s last living wild rivers. Along its entire course of over 270 kilometers it is untamed and free flowing and characterized by beautiful canyons, braided river sections, islands, oxbows and meandering stretches. In some areas the riverbed expands over more than 2 km in width. What makes this river really outstanding internationally is the fact, that almost all its tributaries are free flowing and intact as well, creating a living rivers network that is without par in Europa. However, very little is known about its biodiversity or crucial physical processes such as sediment transport or groundwater systems. We might know more about rivers in the Amazon than about the Vjosa catchment. The main source of the Vjosa River is in Greek territory near the village of Vouvoussa (the ancient name of Vjosa). On its first 80 kilometers the river flows through Greece and is named Aoos. In Albania it turns into Vjosa. The two main tributaries in Albania are the Drinos River, which also originates in Greek territory, and the Shushica River, which is located in the mountainous area between Vlora and Gjirokastra.
SAVE THE BLUE HEART OF EUROPE – THE BALKAN RIVERS The Vjosa is draining a total area of 6,700 km² in Albania and Greece and discharges an average of 204 m³/s into the Adriatic Sea. The Vjosa itself serves as border of many protected areas (3 of which are designated as National Park IUCN category II). Since the river itself is without a special protection status, it is facing growing pressure from human impact. The absence of an integrated, bilateral management plan for the entire river basin has given investors the golden opportunity to engage in a rapid construction "boom" of hydropower in the valley.
Threats Dam construction currently constitutes the major detrimental threat of this area. 8 dams are planned along the Vjosa itself while 23 additional HPPs are projected on its tributaries – 4 of which are already finished while another 4 are under construction. Thus, a total of 38 HPPs are foreseen in the Vjosa catchment: 6 new dams are projected on the Greek side of the catchment, while there is only one existing, the Pigai large Dam and 31 on Albanian territory.
On the map above are presented hydropower plants in the Aoos-Vjosa Basin, Source: Ministry of Environment in Albania, PhD study Yδρολογική Ανάλυςη κ Διερεύνηςη του Yδροςυςτήματοσ Αώου – Βοϊδομάτη - Δημήτριοσ Λεονταρίτησ
On the map above are presented hydropower plants in the Aoos-Vjosa Basin, Source: Ministry of Environment in Albania, PhD study Water Deviation and Research on Aoos-Boidomati River Systems- Dimitris Leontaritis
SAVE THE BLUE HEART OF EUROPE – THE BALKAN RIVERS
Aoos - Projects in Greece The first interference with the Aoos river was the construction of the Pigai HPP, very close to the Aoos’ main source, in 1984. Approximately 100 million m3 of water is retained annually and supplies the lake of Aoos' Hydroelectric Station. There are new plans to deviate another 70 million m3 annually from Arkudoreuma, the main tributary of the Aoos River. This deviation is twofold: 50 million m3/year will be channeled from Pigai reservoir to Ioannina Lake and then released into the Kalamas River and another 20 million m3/year will be diverted through the Pigai reservoir into the Metsovitikos River. 4 HPPs are planned along the first diversion and another 2 along the second. So in total, 6 new HEPPs are planned, while one is already built: the large HPP of Pigai.
Deviation plan of Aóos River. Source: D.Leontaritis 2013
The Kalivaç project The first projected hydropower plant that entered the implementation process is the Kalivaç project close to the city of Tepelena. The concession of the Kalivaç dam was given in 1997 but the construction was halted several times. Initially, the main source of funding was the Italian Becchetti Group and the Deutsche Bank. Currently, construction works are on hold once again (which they have been for the past 4 years), and the level of completion is still only at 30%. However, according to the plans of the Ministry of Energy, HPP Kalivaç is only one out of 8 large dams (Ministry of Trade and Energy of Albania, 2008) to be built along the Vjosa River. Vjosa River, Downstream Kalivaçi Construction site. Photo: B.Hoxha
SAVE THE BLUE HEART OF EUROPE – THE BALKAN RIVERS
HPPs on Tributaries In total, 23 HPPs are projected along all of Vjosa’s tributaries. Constructions of 4 of them have already started. 6 HPPs are to be built along the Langarica River, two of which have already been finished while one is under construction. Three HPPs are located inside the “Hotova Fir National Park”. Contractor is the Austrian company ENSO Hydro. Along the Bënça River, another tributary of the Vjosa, 5 HPPs are projected. Two of them are already under construction. Constructor is the Italian company FERRAR The Shushica River is the second largest tributary of the Vjosa after Drinos. 2 HPPs are planned along its upper course closed to Smokthina.
Lengarica River, Lengarica HPP Construction site. Photo: B.Guri
Our Vision - A Vjosa National Park The Vjosa and its tributaries are without par in Europe. There is no river network like this left on the continent. Thus, this river landscape needs to be protected by the highest possible nature protection category – a national park according to the standards of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Together with the local community, scientists and the support from all over Albania, we want to make it happen. It shall be preserved for the benefit of nature but also for the people of the Vjosa valley and their potential for sustainable socioeconomic development. However, a national park can only truly exist if it Vjosa River, Upstream. Photo: http://www.see-river.net/ kept free from dams. Industries such as eco-tourism or non-intensive agriculture can be an effective alternative for sustainable economic development of local communities. In future, thousands of tourists from all over Europe will come to visit this last wild river.
SAVE THE BLUE HEART OF EUROPE – THE BALKAN RIVERS
Save the Blue Heart of Europe The rivers on the Balkan Peninsula are among the best preserved in all of Europe. More than 80% of all Balkan rivers are in very good or good morphological condition. However, this European heritage is at risk. We have evidence of over 630 hydropower projects that are planned between SLO and AL. Taking into account all the small-scale projects, the actual number rises to a few thousand projects to be implemented. Therefore, the international NGOs Riverwatch and EuroNatur have launched the international campaign “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” in cooperation with several national partner organizations, such as EcoAlbania in Albania. The goal is to protect the most valuable rivers and river stretches on the Balkans from destruction through uncontrolled hydropower development. More information: www.balkanivers.net Contact: info@balkanrivers.net Olsi Nika, o.nika@ecoalbania.org Cornelia Wieser, cornelia.wieser@riverwatch.eu
SAVE THE BLUE HEART OF EUROPE – THE BALKAN RIVERS
Annex. List of the planned hydropower projects along the Vjosa River and its tributaries. (Source: Albanian Ministry of Environment)
No.
Company Name
River Basin
HPP Name
Location
Tributary
Water Amount (m3/s)
1
"Hasi Energy" sh.p.k
Vjose
Langarice 1
40°15'57.28"N
20°28'37.34"E
Langarice
2
"Hasi Energy" sh.p.k
Vjose
Langarice 2
40°15'38.80"N
20°28'4.30"E
Langarice
3
"Ballkan Green Energy"
Vjose
Smokthine
40°18'28.80"N
19°45'28.02"E
Smokthine
4
"Ballkan Green Energy"
Vjose
Barmash
40°16'16.15"N
20°34'9.74"E
Barmash
0.45
5
"Ballkan Green Energy"
Vjose
Rajan
40°15'59.53"N
20°31'18.07"E
Rajan
0.514
6
"Albania Green Energy"
Vjose
Smokthine
40°16'49.07"N 19°42'44.57"E
Smokthine
7
"Hasi Energy" sh.p.k
Vjose
Langarice
40°17'18.10"N
Langarice
8
"Radici Energie" sh.p.k
Vjose
Progonat‐Lekdush
40°12'39.03"N 19°58'8.25"E
Bence
9
"Radici Energie" sh.p.k
Vjose
Bence (Nivice)
40°15'17.53"N 19°52'38.28"E
Bence
10
"Radici Energie" sh.p.k
Vjose
Bence (Salari)
40°18'7.03"N
Bence
11
"Peshku Picar 1" sh.p.k
Vjose
Picar 1
40° 9'49.39"N 20° 3'6.99"E
Kolonja
0.4
12
"Energia Pulita" sh.p.k
Vjose
Gostivisht
40°18'35.28"N 20°28'37.13"E
Langarice
0.9
13
"Energia Pulita" sh.p.k
Vjose
Langarice
40°16'20.10"N 20°28'46.81"E
Langarice
1.5
14
"Energia Pulita" sh.p.k
Vjose
Ura e Dashit
40°17'42.84"N 20°28'17.65"E
Langarice
8
15
"Tulla T" sh.p.k
Vjose
Radove
40° 9'21.52"N 20°33'40.06"E
Carshove
16
"Tulla T" sh.p.k
Vjose
Carshove
40° 8'14.24"N 20°33'5.30"E
Carshove
17
"Ferrar" sh.p.k
Vjose
Bence
40°15'5.22"N 19°59'50.25"E
Bence
18
"Ferrar" sh.p.k
Vjose
Tepelene
40°17'51.83"N 20° 0'39.53"E
Bence
19
"Qeramika e Jugut"
Vjose
Shtika1
40°21'55.99"N 20°14'8.78"E
Shtika
0.7
20
"Qeramika e Jugut"
Vjose
Shtika 2
40°21'4.27"N 20°13'41.70"E
Shtika
0.7
21
"Qeramika e Jugut"
Vjose
Shtika 3
40°20'30.70"N 20°13'42.93"E
Shtika
0.3
23
"Qeramika e Jugut"
Vjose
Shtika 4
40°18'44.15"N 20°12'56.90"E
Shtika
0.5
24
"Kalivaç Energy"
Vjose
Kalivaçi
40°23'58.77"N 19°48'1.43"E
Vjose
25
License NOT Given
Vjose
Badëlonja
40°12'25.05"N 20°23'16.25"E
Vjose
26
License NOT Given
Vjose
Kaludhi
40°10'39.34"N 20°26'55.06"E
Vjose
27
License NOT Given
Vjose
Përmeti
40°13'39.92"N 20°21'51.05"E
Vjose
28
License NOT Given
Vjose
Këlcyra
40°18'25.88"N 20°11'8.07"E
Vjose
29
License NOT Given
Vjose
Dragoti
40°17'33.50"N 20° 4'49.10"E
Vjose
30
License NOT Given
Vjose
Poçemi
40°29'35.76"N 19°43'43.82"E
Vjose
31
License NOT Given
Vjose
Selenica
40°32'31.06"N 19°39'18.94"E
Vjose
20°29'3.27"E
19°53'43.29"E
1.9