Richard
Burton

Habitats, homes and livelihoods under threat from Albania’s most controversial dam project on the Black Drin river, in the North of the country. If realised, the Skavica dam would result in the flooding of the Dibra valley, submerging an area of almost 60 square kilometres, with a devastating impact on both its pristine ecosystem and the agricultural communities who live and work within it.

The Dibra valley lies below the towering peaks of the Korab mountain range, which mark the country’s border with North Macedonia. The building of a dam near the village of Skavica, in neighbouring Kukes county, was originally conceived in the 1950s as part of the then-communist government’s national hydroelectric power plan, aimed at creating energy self-sufficiency for the nation. It was the first project proposed in a plan to harness the energy-generating potential of the Drin river, but remained dormant due to technical challenges in its construction and the site’s proximity to national borders. It is only in recent years that the project has been resurrected, but not without some major challenges to its impact and feasibility.

Residents of the Dibra valley have been living in a perpetual state of uncertainty for decades as successive governments have kept the proposal of constructing a Dam at Skavica as a distinct possibility. Over the years, plans for the project have been kept out of the public eye, with no information shared with local residents as to the future of their homes and land. It is only in the last decade that renewed plans for realising the project have come to light as concerted efforts to secure funding have been made by the governing Socialist Party of Albania, and preliminary work commenced to facilitate its construction.

In 2017 an environmental and social impact assessment was commissioned by The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) to ascertain European Union investment feasibility. The results concluded that the impacts of the proposed 210 megawatt power plant would fall well below EU standards, and the project was stalled. As of 2021, Bechtel, one of America’s largest construction companies, have been engaged by the government to design and oversee construction of the dam. Bechtel’s involvement in the project has been called into question by international NGOs and local activist groups after a contract was signed in July 2021 without a legitimate procurement process.

A regular and legal tender procedure was circumvented by a special law (No.38/2021) passed the same month, which specifically referenced Bechtel, ensuring that the company was sole facilitator of the project. This indicates a clear aversion to legitimately assess the impacts of the project in relation to the cost and long-term benefits of the power plant. Accusations of corruption and a very nearsighted economic view of the project are rife, with questions addressing the geological solidity of the proposed site and the power-generating efficiency of the plant, alongside the negative environmental, social and economic impact of the project.

“By circumventing open procurement and competition, this deal raises risks of possible corruption and doubts about the value for money of the project. It also undermines the meaningfulness of the environmental and social impact assessment,” Andrey Ralev, Biodiversity Campaigner at CEE Bankwatch Network.

The flooding of the Dibra valley will have a devastating impact on local communities, people’s homes, farmland and livelihoods, resulting in the displacement of an estimated 14,000 people and the destruction of over 30 villages. The valley is one of the most fertile regions in Albania, its rich alluvial soils supporting a wealth of agricultural produce, which the area exports nationally and relies on as the mainstay of the local economy. Contrary to the national energy department’s (KESH) claims that the project has undergone extensive local and regional consultation, the majority of residents of the Dibra valley have had no contact from officials, or been provide with any information about the proposal, its impact on the valley or provisions for resettlement and compensation. This silence follows a pattern of neglect by central government, where little infrastructure investment has been made over the past 40 years, leading to a lack of jobs for local residents and significant barriers to the development of the valley’s tourism potential.

Very little untouched natural habitat exists on the upper Drin river. There are presently three rock-fill dams and a non-flooding cascade power facility in Albania, with a further two dams upstream on the Black Drin in North Macedonia. In ecological terms, the Skavica dam will destroy the last uninterrupted section of the river, with the resultant reservoir submerging pristine forests, destroying the habitat of a wide range of endemic species. Local populations of bears and wolves will be significantly affected, and most critically, the endangered Balkan lynx, a species with an estimated regional population of just 30, will have its territory split.

“The dam would disrupt the only bio-corridor between Albania and North Macedonia where the two remaining viable reproductive lynx populations cross,” Dr Amelie Huber, Freshwater Project Manager at EuroNatur.

Many residents of the valley share a pessimism for the future of their ancestral lands, while maintaining a great pride for the region’s rich history. Most notably the Dibra valley is the alleged birthplace of Albania’s national hero, Skandeberg (Gjergj Kastrioti), a fierce opponent of the Ottoman empire in the mid-1400s. The valley is home to numerous archaeologically significant sites dating from this time, which attest to the importance of the Black Drin river as a natural resource and strategic point in times of conflict. The cultural significance of the valley, alongside the wealth of natural beauty, offers huge potential for the development of tourism and holds the possibility of becoming a prime destination for international and domestic visitors.

“The construction of the Skavica dam will not only bring profound social and demographic impacts by inundating one of Highland Albania’s most fertile and culturally significant regions but also have devastating repercussions for the flora and fauna. Much of this biodiversity is not only a national treasure for Albania but is also shared across borders with neighbouring countries, Kosovo and North Macedonia.” Aleksandër Trajçe, Executive Director, PPNEA.

Despite the uncertainty, many Dibrans are mobilising in an effort to oppose the proposed dam. Through community engagement, petitioning and targeted protests, they aim to raise awareness of the threat to the valley and its inhabitants. Over the past two years, a number of grassroots citizen initiatives have sprung up, reflecting the overwhelming opposition to the project by local communities. However, there is considerable caution as many people fear that by speaking out, they may face retaliation from the government and their jobs or state subsidies may be at risk.

“There has been no proper public consultation process. The public does not have the right to be informed, to present comments and expect clear and detailed responses. As the special law that passed in parliament in 2021 makes the construction of the dam mandatory in the second phase, the public consultation process is an empty exercise, with per-determined results. In a nutshell, the affected community does not have a say and a voice in this project; all important decisions are taken behind closed doors.” Ferzileta Gjika, Founder of Opposition to Skavica.

One of the main arguments made in support of the project is that the dam will act as a flood defence for regions downstream and a storage point to control water flow to the river’s other dams, allowing year-round energy production. However, in a country where 95 percent of energy production comes from hydroelectric sources, there is an urgent need for diversification as the effects of climate change become increasingly prevalent. The World Bank has listed Albania as one of the most vulnerable countries in Europe in terms of the impact of climate change, and recent years have already seen annual rainfall reduced by 10% and steadily increasing summer temperatures. In addition to this, there are major concerns about the long-term environmental impact of the dam, with reservoir water affecting the Dibra Valley’s microclimate, increasing humidity, rainfall and fog, which in turn have impacts on valley erosion rates, agriculture and the health of residents. There is also the prospect of increased levels of erosion downstream resulting from reservoir sediment retention, an issue which has already significantly impacted wetland environments on the lower Drin.

From a broader environmental perspective, the last 30 years has seen a reversal in attitudes towards large-scale hydroelectric power projects in Europe and America. The high construction costs and severe ecological impact of dams, coupled with the rise in solar and wind power technologies, has seen a dramatic scaling back of projects. Further to this, governments are increasingly realising the importance of dam removal in enhancing both biodiversity and climate resilience as part of river restoration initiatives. In 2021 alone, an estimated 239 dams and river barriers were removed across Europe, demonstrating a dramatic shift in approach towards sustainable energy production and the conservation of river habitats.

The legitimacy of the Skavica dam is questionable to its core, a relic from an outdated national hydropower plan, and one which appears to be driven by short-term economic gain. The Albanian government has put considerable effort into attracting investors for the project, despite the ethical and environmental questions that surround its viability. The US International Development Finance Corporation is one potential funder, alongside prospecting for investments from HSBC and UK Export Finance. It remains to be seen if the very real concerns surrounding the project will deter investors from engaging, as it will undoubtably contravene many of their social and ecological impact policies.