Environment Ministry Insists on Legitimacy of Malinec Power Plant Project

Bratislava, 9 February (TASR) - The Environment Ministry continues to insist on the legitimacy of the project to build the Malinec-Latky pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant, TASR was told by the Environment Ministry's communications department on Monday. The communications department points out that the process of evaluating the legislative document by the Environment Ministry to declare the planned pumped storage power plant a significant investment is still open. The ministry claims that at this stage, no feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments (EIA), or compliance with land-use documentation are required to declare the pumped storage power plant a significant investment. "However, what is key is that both the EIA and the change to the land-use plan will be implemented after the significant investment status has been granted," stated the ministry. "We've also already initiated legislative steps, and experts from the Water Research Institute are analysing and comparing scientific data," emphasised Vice-Premier and Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee). The Climate Coalition rejects the ministry's argument that this is a project to support renewable energy sources. According to the coalition, the justification that the Malinec pumped storage power plant will serve to decarbonise the energy sector and meet climate targets is misleading. "If the government is serious about renewable energy sources, it should first remove barriers to their systematic development and support solutions that are sensitive to nature," responded Lucia Szabova from the Climate Coalition, adding that the Malinec pumped storage power plant doesn't meet these conditions. She stated that it is a project that could harm people, nature, and public finances, and therefore shouldn't be labelled a significant investment. Taraba said in the past that the planned Malinec pumped storage power plant is the greatest ecological and economic opportunity for central Slovakia. However, the proposal has been met with concern and resistance in the Podpolanie area, with people signing a petition to stop the project. am