The concession contracts for the construction of two hydropower plants on the Crni and Bijeli Rzav rivers near Visegrad have been officially terminated. The Center for the Environment has emphasized that this decision reflects the strong opposition from the community to the projects.
The planned hydropower plants were intended to be built on the Crni and Bijeli Rzav rivers, which converge in the municipality of Visegrad to form the Rzav River, flowing nearly 25 kilometers before emptying into the Drina River. The Center for the Environment applauds the Government of the Republic of Srpska (RS) for this decision, marking the culmination of efforts led by local citizens who protested against the construction of seven small hydropower plants along the river.
Vladimir Tadic, coordinator at the Center for the Environment, noted that while the initial plan included seven small hydropower plants, five concessions had already been canceled prior to this latest termination. With the remaining two contracts now officially annulled, there is optimism that the area will soon be designated as a protected region and recognized as a nature park, as was initially proposed.
