VV Continues Preparations for Planned Malinec Hydro-power Plant

Bratislava, 14 August (TASR) - State-run water management construction company Vodohospodarska Vystavba (VV) is continuing its preparations for the Malinec pumped storage power plant project. An indicative identification and alignment of the coordinates for potential future wells, which might form part of the next stages of the project's preparations, has been carried out on site, according to a statement provided to TASR by VV. VV stated that it will further inform the public about all steps in preparing the project. "We expect that the political discussion will be held based on facts and expert arguments, not lies and manipulation," reads the statement. The mayors of Malinec, Latky (both Banska Bystrica region) and 15 other villages in the Podpolanie area have supported the construction of the Malinec hydro-power plant, and the Environment Ministry has signed an agreement with them. Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) claims that the hydro-power power plant should bring economic growth and benefit to the entire Slovak economy. However, the proposal has also met with concerns and resistance in the Podpolanie area, with people signing a petition to halt the project. In July, a march of over 40 kilometres in support of fair decision-making on the planned Malinec hydro-power plant took place. The march was also linked to claims that the project could endanger potable water in the region. Taraba emphasised that Malinec must remain a source of potable water. ko/df