Eco-activists criticized the massive construction of hydroelectric power stations in Transcarpathia for the "race for subsidies"

Eco-activists criticized the massive construction of hydroelectric power stations in Transcarpathia for the "race for subsidies"

Katerina Belousova

In Europe, they seek to restore the free flow of 25,000 km of rivers, and in Ukraine – to turn them into a cascade of ponds

In Transcarpathia, 6 conclusions were agreed on the environmental impact assessment for the construction of new dams on free-flowing river sections for the construction of small hydropower plants.

Eco-activists from the "Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group" on Facebook criticized such an initiative and suggested that the main purpose of the construction of hydroelectric power plants with insignificant generation is to earn money from state subsidies.

It is noted that this is not the first attempt at massive construction of hydroelectric power plants in Transcarpathia. However, previous projects were canceled due to public opposition.

The report said that hydroelectric power plants are planned to be built on the Teresva, Shopurka, Stogovka and Baltsatul rivers. Currently, the OVD register contains information on the construction of four more hydroelectric power stations on Teresva.

Activists emphasized that the European Parliament supported the law on restoring the free flow of at least 25,000 km of rivers in the EU.

"Our government, while talking about green recovery and European integration, actually contributes to the destruction of rivers and their transformation into a cascade of ponds," they added.

Eco-activists sent comments on new hydropower projects and called on the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources and Zakarpattia OVA to make decisions based on environmental protection, not political expediency, when considering reports from OVD.

Earlier, EcoPolitic wrote, that in Zakarpattia they can build the world's first 50 kW/h damless hydroelectric power station which was patented by four residents of Mukachevo.

As EcoPolitic previously reported, Transcarpathian rivers brought about 90 tons of plastic garbage to Hungary, mostly bottles, which covered the river and the banks of Bodrog. Waste disposal is not established in Transcarpathia and people simply throw it into the rivers.

Related
Court seizes land plots for construction of hydropower plant in Kalyny due to alleged forgery of documents
Court seizes land plots for construction of hydropower plant in Kalyny due to alleged forgery of documents

The community is categorically against the implementation of these projects, as the entire Teresva River is an object of the Emerald Network

Pollution of the river in Zaporizhzhia: what is the situation now?
Pollution of the river in Zaporizhzhia: what is the situation now?

Environmental disaster response is not progressing well

Court orders demolition of recreation complex in the Dnipro river coastal protection zone in Kyiv
Court orders demolition of recreation complex in the Dnipro river coastal protection zone in Kyiv

In early April, the owner was suspected of unauthorized construction