Advisory expert committee did not approve the study on the environmental impact of the construction of the solar power plant "Gala - Obrovac Sinjski". This has stopped, at least for now, the project that caused strong reactions from environmental associations, scientists, mountaineers, local committees and local farmers.
– This is a victory for expert arguments and common sense. We thank all citizens, associations, local committees, scientists and farmers who raised their voices in favor of nature conservation, and the members of the committee who heeded them. – he said Marko Cvrlje, representative of the Commission for the Protection of Mountain Nature of the Croatian Mountaineering Association.
Why is a solar power plant above Kosinac unacceptable?
As a reminder, the project envisaged the construction of a power plant on 248,5 hectares of porous karst plateau, just 1,5 km above the Kosinac water pumping station. It is a key source of drinking water for the population of the Cetinska Krajina region. According to the Environmental Impact Study, the project involved the removal of 252 hectares of forest and undergrowth, which could cause a loss of natural filtration, increase flood risks and pollution of water bodies.
- In addition to the fact that it is located in the immediate vicinity of the Dinara Nature Park, there are strictly protected and endemic species and speleological objects protected by law in the area - experts from Biom association.
In addition, the project would deprive local herders of land they have used for centuries, thus jeopardizing the viability of rural communities.
– People here live off the land, water and livestock. A project that would destroy all of that, and also endanger the health of our families, could never have had the support of the community. This is an important message to anyone planning similar interventions: come, talk to us, ask us what we think before you draw projects over our heads – he said Josip Širović, president of the local committee of Obrovac Sinjski.
The study also stated that the surface of the panels contains heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, which are otherwise toxic, and that there are tens of tons of transformer oil in the power plant facilities. The leaching of heavy metals from the surface of the panels over the entire life of the solar panels through the porous karst soil into groundwater could begin to poison Kosinac's drinking water. And in the event of any breakdown of the transformer oil tank, for example in the event of even a strong earthquake, the source would be instantly destroyed forever.
– This project is directly contrary to the European Water Directive. It prescribes as an obligation the principle of utmost precaution, i.e. that absolutely no intervention in the environment that could worsen the condition of the drinking water source and the area around it should be allowed. The protection of drinking water sources, therefore, has an absolute priority - says Dr. rer. nat. Mislav Cvitković, physicist from the Faculty of Science and Mathematics in Split.
How to prevent similar projects in this area?
Given that the area is currently listed in the Spatial Plan of the City of Sinj and Split-Dalmatia County as a zone for potential development of solar power plants, the associations warn against further steps in finally removing this project from spatial plans.
– Changes to the spatial plans of the Split-Dalmatia County will begin soon, and this is a key opportunity for citizens to demand the removal of such harmful projects from sensitive locations from development documents. Unfortunately, still too few people exercise their right to participate in decision-making about the space in which they live. And this is the space we leave to our children. If we do not participate in a timely and proper manner, it can easily happen that important decisions are made without us – he emphasizes Maja Jurić from the Sunce association.
The first and often most important moment for involving all citizens is immediately after the publication of the Decision on the development of a spatial plan. Then it is possible to initiate meetings with the local government and clearly demand that such projects be removed from development documents at an early stage. If we are responsible for our land and nature, it is our duty to follow such public calls. The next key opportunity for involvement comes during the public hearing, when everyone can provide formal comments and suggestions.
The associations call on all citizens to actively participate in public consultations on changes to spatial plans, which are planned until the end of the year. This is the only way to prevent projects that harm nature and the community from being launched in the first place, and to ensure fertile ground for environmentally and socially beneficial investments.
Photo: Sunce Association
