Hydropower licence review and moratorium (Balluku, 2019)
Status: Moratorium announced 2019. Final termination outcome not found.
Summary
In January 2019 Energy and Infrastructure Minister Belinda Balluku announced a moratorium on non-operational hydropower contracts pending a report, after reviewing 182 licences covering 440 plants (Exit.al, 26 January 2019). Exit.al text (fetched) gives 96 plants fully operational; a search summary gives 73 contracts for 96 plants. A later Exit.al piece corrected the total to 466 registered plants. The ministry said it would terminate 27 non-performing contracts for 80 plants, and earlier reports mention 17 contract terminations. The contracts had been signed mainly under earlier governments. Whether the terminations were carried out or upheld in court was not found. This is a government licensing review, not a criminal case; it is recorded because the same licences are the subject of the environmental and corruption complaints above.
Key facts
- Review of 182 licences for 440 plants (Exit.al text, 26 Jan 2019).
- Exit.al text: 96 plants fully operational; search summary gives 73 contracts for 96 plants.
- Later Exit.al correction: 466 registered plants; three pre-approved plants cancelled; 27 non-performing contracts covering 80 plants to be terminated unilaterally (search summary of Exit.al).
- Konfindustria warned of litigation against the suspension (Exit.al).
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (1)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- The minister announced the moratorium and the review (Exit.al; government announcement).
What is alleged (0)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
Nothing recorded in this list.
Open questions (2)
- Whether the 17 or 27 contract terminations were carried out and whether any were challenged in the Administrative Court.
- Identity of the earlier minister who signed the contracts (search summary names Damian Gjiknuri; not verified on an opened page).
Responses (1)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Konfindustria: moratorium risks litigation and failure to meet its goals (Exit.al).
Figures
Money trail →Hydro licence review scope: 182 licences, 440 plants
No amount recorded
concessionSource label: Officially reportedStated definition: Not a money figure. Plant count corrected by Exit.al to 466 registered plants in a later piece; 96 operational plants per Exit text. Included for scope.
Date: 26 Jan 2019 · Payer: Not applicable · Payee: Not applicable
- Balluku Announces Moratorium on New Hydro Power Plants (opens in a new tab)Exit.al · 26 Jan 2019 · journalism · EN
Timeline
Full timeline →Government
Balluku announces moratorium on non-operational hydropower contracts
Minister Belinda Balluku froze non-operational hydro contracts after reviewing 182 licences covering 440 plants. Exit.al dated 26 January 2019.
Government
Ministry moves to terminate hydro concession contracts (17, later 27 contracts)
Following the moratorium the ministry began terminating 17 HPP concession contracts; a later statement said 27 contracts covering 80 plants would be terminated unilaterally. Exact date and implementation not confirmed.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 4 sources.
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 3 sources
- Publisher
- Exit.al
- Date
- 26 Jan 2019
- Publisher
- Exit.al
- Date
- unknown
- Publisher
- Exit.al
- Date
- unknown
Source label: Under investigationUnder investigation · 1 source
- Publisher
- Exit.al
- Date
- 2019