Protest of eco-activists in Konjic over the construction of HPP Ulog

(Patria) - Citizens and eco-activists gathered today in Konjic to protest the construction of the Ulog hydropower plant (HPP) in the entity of RS.

The construction of this hydropower plant threatens the upper course of the Neretva River, in the south of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- The consequences for the river and wildlife are already becoming apparent. However, this is not the only threat to the survival of the Neretva and its tributaries.

If we do not act immediately, another 36 hydropower plants will be built in the basin of this Herzegovinian beauty - warned the protest organizers.

They demand an immediate halt to the construction of HPP Ulog, the cessation of all other energy projects on this river, and legal protection of the natural values of the Neretva basin.

The concession for the construction of HPP Ulog was awarded in 2009 to the company EFT, owned by Vuk Hamović.

Work officially began in 2010 but was suspended due to complications and difficult terrain.

In October, EFT confirmed to Radio Free Europe that they possess all construction permits and that the work is in its final phase.

The investment is estimated at 70 million euros. The contractor is the Chinese company Sinohydro Corporation Limited, which is under US sanctions due to business in Iran.

The European Investment Bank suspended funding for its projects for one year as of August 2023 due to lack of transparency and questionable business practices.

Environmentalists have documented river turbidity downstream of the HPP Ulog site, as well as fish kills.

The Center for Environment informed the RS Inspectorate about this via an urgent letter on September 28.

- Certain consequences of the Neretva's turbidity were visible, that enormous pollution is visible. It happens intermittently.

Nothing can guarantee that it will not happen again in ten days or six months.

Photo: Radio Free Europe

And plus, what we are warning about is that certain even greater consequences will occur once the power plant itself is built - says Vladimir Topić from the Center for Environment.

They have requested from the RS authorities that the upper course of the Neretva be declared protected, for the preservation of habitats and valuable species.

- Already, we have over 1,300 species in the upper course of the Neretva River and its valley, with the assumption that preliminary results show that number will reach 2,000.

Based on that alone, we can say that this is one of the most biodiverse areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina - states Topić.

Inspectors conducted field visits in October. They claim they did not observe anything problematic in the river, that the fish stock is in good health, and that the water is exceptionally clean.

At the same time, the Government of the Federation of BiH requested from the Council of Ministers to protect the interests of this entity from the consequences of the construction of HPP Ulog.

They emphasize that they were not included in the process and that extensive geological, geotectonic, and hydrological studies were not conducted.

On Lake Jablanica, about ten kilometers downstream from Konjic, algae growth has been recorded, causing a decrease in oxygen levels and the extinction of animal species.

The cause is pollution from municipal and industrial wastewater, according to the competent agency.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's rivers are dammed by over 120 mini-hydropower plants.

Despite years of struggle by activists and the population, around 350 more are planned or under construction.

The share of hydropower plants in total electricity production is below three percent.