Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Protesters against construction of Rumyantsevo 2 hydroelectric power plant block off traffic along Sofia-Rousse main road

Photo: Plamen Hristov

Anglers and environmentalists from all over the country blocked off traffic for about an hour along the Sofia-Rousse main road. No vehicle queues or traffic jams were formed.  

They are protesting in Rumyantsevo village near Lukovit, against the draining of rivers by small hydroelectric power plants and against the construction of Rumyantsevo 2 hydroelectric power station. The protesters are carrying posters, one of which reads: “We want our rivers and our nature. No more hydroelectric power plants.”

The organizers of the protest – the associations Balkanka and Old Otters – say thatthe construction of Rumyantsevo 2 is illegal. The section of Zlatna Panega River falls within a protected area under Natura 2000. There are many species there which are under the protection of the law, but which will vanish from the river section drained by the hydroelectric power station. Its construction is inadmissible under the Danube River Basin Management Plan 2021.  The protestors are demanding that the National Construction Control Directorate conduct an inspection of the construction documents as well as the immediate stop to the plant’s construction.  

Dimitar Kumanov, member of the management council of the Balkanka association says:

“We are protesting against the illegal construction permit, issued for Rumyantsevo 2 hydroelectric power station which will inflict damages on one of the most valuable sections of Zlatna Panega River and its unique biodiversity. We demand that the National Construction Control Directorate launch an inspection of the construction authorization documents for this hydroelectric power plant. There are several violations – the weir on the river is public state property and they have no established right to use the weir and to reconstruct it – its reconstruction means building, as stipulated by the law. They do not have authorization to use a surface water construction project, which is obligatory for the issue of the above-mentioned construction permit. The court itself ruled: “This is an illegal hydroelectric power plant.”



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Ranking of universities and the most profitable majors for 2024 have been announced

In the 14th edition of the Ranking System of Bulgarian Universities for 2024, Sofia University (SU) holds the first place in 22 professional fields. The rating system compares the performance of 51 higher education institutions in 52..

published on 10/29/24 1:15 PM

The NATO Multinational Battlegroup in Bulgaria holds an exercise to repel an enemy attack

The NATO Multinational Battle Group in Bulgaria demonstrated its readiness to repel a potential attack on Bulgaria. The command staff exercise at the Novo Selo Range trained the group's readiness to expand to a brigade and, if necessary, defend the..

published on 10/29/24 10:56 AM

EUR 14 million in counterfeit currency seized in a Europol operation in 18 countries

Law enforcement agencies from 18 countries have seized over EUR 14 million in counterfeit currency in a joint customs and police operation, reported BTA, citing Europol. Most of the seized banknotes are in denominations of 50 and 20 euros and are..

published on 10/29/24 9:22 AM