Construction of two mini-hydroelectric power plants postponed in Zakarpattia due to local resistance

Construction of two mini-hydroelectric power plants postponed in Zakarpattia due to local resistance shutterstock

Anna Velyka

The profile ministry satisfied the appeal of the community advocate

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine has suspended consideration of the construction documents submitted by Hydroresurs-Teresva LLC to obtain environmental impact assessment conclusions for 2 channel mini-hydroelectric power plants on the Teresva River.

This was reported by Zakarpattya Online.

The order to suspend the review of the documentation will remain in effect until the court makes a decision in case No. 260/3634/24 on the claim of Kalyny village residents against the Tyachiv District State Administration, Dubove village council and the developer. The Ministry of Ecology made this decision because local residents are simultaneously suing the local authorities and the developer to cancel urban planning documentation, which they say was adopted in violation of the law and the community's master plan.

Local residents and environmental activists emphasize that the Teresva River is a part of the Emerald Network, and its section from the village of Ust-Chorna to the village of Dubove is an ichthyological reserve of local importance, where up to 10 species of Red Book fish come to spawn.

Thus, the ministry satisfied the appeal of the lawyer Nataliya Maistrenko, submitted in the interests of the residents of Kalyn, and stopped the implementation of the construction.

In early June, EcoPolitic reported that residents of the village of Kaliny in Zakarpattia are protesting against the construction of a mini-hydroelectric power plant on the Teresva River.

Related
The President has been urged to veto the law on industrial parks due to the threat to the environment
The President has been urged to veto the law on industrial parks due to the threat to the environment

A particular risk is the emergence of high-rise residential buildings disguised as hotels, which have also been classified as industrial park facilities

Green energy in the Odesa region: how many renewable energy stations are operating in the region
Green energy in the Odesa region: how many renewable energy stations are operating in the region

Both large businesses and thousands of households have their own power generation capacity

Are activists not citizens? The Environmental Inspectorate has refused to carry out an inspection of the wind farm on the Runa mountain pasture
Are activists not citizens? The Environmental Inspectorate has refused to carry out an inspection of the wind farm on the Runa mountain pasture

Environmental campaigners regard this as an excuse, as the results of such requests have previously even been used as evidence in court

Almost 60% of the policies set out in Ukraine’s National Climate Plan have been implemented
Almost 60% of the policies set out in Ukraine’s National Climate Plan have been implemented

The plan has also been updated – the climate target has been revised and the areas of decarbonisation and monitoring have been expanded