HPP companies warned of having licenses revoked for delays

TIRANA, Sept. 28 – Prime Minister Sali Berisha reiterated at Wednesday’s government meeting that companies which have been granted concession contracts to build small and medium-sized hydropower plants must respect their contracts. Berisha warned that companies which had their deadlines extended earlier this year that they would have their concession contracts cancelled if they don’t meet new deadlines.
“There should be a mechanism preventing their return to the race for a second time. They had a chance and missed it and do not deserve a second chance,” said Berisha of the companies involved in the construction of hydropower plants.
Earlier this year, the Economy Ministry identified 10 to 15 flagrant cases of violations in concessionary contracts, mentioning cases of companies which have been granted concessions since 2007 but have not even registered with the National Licensing Center yet.
Government says it remains determined to make every effort encouraging the construction of 443 hydropower plants in this country. To date, it has signed concession contracts for the construction of 220 HPPs during the past three years, 36 of which are under construction.