Environmental and livelihood impacts of dams: a case study

Abstract

Albanian hydrographical territory is 57% (more than 152 rivers) larger than its geographical territory. Although with small flows, their considerable cascade makes these rivers substantially important for the hydropower potential offered to the country. Traditionally, Albania electricity is based on hydropower which stays precisely 99.8%. The rise of electricity from hydropower production has been the only solution and therefore, the electricity security strategy is based on the increased generation capacities. This paper aims to present the environmental and socioeconomic impact of Fierza hydro power plant, Koman hydro power plant and Vau i Dejës hydro power plant. Therefore, the main problems and challenges of the municipalities where the hydropower plants are located are identified. In all three hydropower plants, the main environmental problems are solid waste pollution, pollution from the discharge of urban wastewater from dwellings, commercial and industrial entities without prior treatment, sediment accumulation, deforestation, erosion and floods. The economy is not very developed. It is mainly based on the rural economy. Investment absence, mainly in road infrastructure has affected the underdevelopment of agriculture and tourism. Financial problems have affected demographic movements towards large cities. This has affected the closure of schools. These are areas with very good climate and geographical position, which need investment to recover.