This complaint, submitted in 2023 by Earth Law Center – USA & Earth Thrive – UK, on behalf of a coalition of Albanian NGOs, alleges that Albania is violating Articles 2, 3.1, 3.2., 4.1, and 10.1 of the Bern Convention by signing a contract for the design and construction of the Skavica HPP on the Drin River; and that the country has also neglected to take necessary administrative measures to protect species and habitats (listed in Appendices I and II and Resolutions no. 4 (1996) & no. 6 (1998)), including because the Drin River should be declared an Emerald site according to the 2011 Biogeographical Seminar.
The dam is planned in the middle of the most important biocorridor for the critically endangered Balkan Lynx, the only connection between the last stronghold populations. The reservoir will flood several thousand hectares of freshwater habitat, riparian and other broadleaf forests, grasslands, and agricultural land. It would destroy the last free-flowing stretch of Drin river inhabited by at least five Balkan endemic species of fish from Resolution 6, adding to the impacts of four existing HPPs, with combined power capacity of 1400 MW. The site of Skavica is also very close to a UNESCO Heritage Site, the beech forests of NP Shebenik-Jabllanicë.
Key Timeline
- 2023 - Case registration
Other countries possibly concerned
- Montenegro
Other international organisations involved
- N/A
Documents
Complaint form
| 2023 | T-PVS/Files(2023)32 |
Regular reports to the Bureau and/or Standing Committee
Please note that all reports received by a Party during one calendar year are included in one single report for that year. Some older reports are not available in digital form.
| 2024 | Government Report - T-PVS/Files(2024)8 |
| Complainant Report - T-PVS/Files(2024)66 |
