Hydroelectric Plant Construction Granted Despite State Council Verdict
The Energy Market Regulatory Board (EPDK) gave permission for preliminary license once again to the Konaktepe Dam and two hydroelectric plant projects planned on Munzur Valley National Park, which Turkey’s State Council annulled three years ago saying, “Ecological balance at a national park should not be broken."
Famous for its natural beauty, Munzur Valley houses 1518 plant species 55 of which only grow in Munzur and 227 only in Turkey. It is also home to various endemic fauna species such as the Munzur Trout, Çengezli Horned Goat, Bezuvar Mountain Goat, and Ur Partridge.
EPDK had issued an Electricity Generation License in 2010 to Konaktepe Electricity Generation S.A. for Konaktepe Dam and Konaktepe Hydroelectric Plant 1 and 2 to be built in Munzur Valley.
Annulled previously by State Council
Dersim Cultural and Natural Legacy Protection Initiative spokesman Barış Yıldırım had filed a case in State Council for stay of execution on and annulment of the project.
Turkey’s State Council13th Chamber had ordered a stay of execution on the grounds of lack of approval of Munzur Valley National Park Long-Term Development Plan, prohibition of the use and management of water sources in Munzur Valley, classified as a national park, and lack of public welfare.
The Council of State Administrative Case Chambers Board rejected EPDK and the company’s objection to the decision and added, "Environmental Impact Assessment (ÇED) is a must for dams and hydroelectric plants in Munzur Valley." Thereupon, Turkey’s State Council 13th Chamber annulled the EPDK-issued Electricity Generation License.
The State Council in the justification for its verdict emphasized that the natural ecosystem value cannot be damaged in national parks.
Ministry says, "greater public welfare"
In the meantime, however, The Ministry of Environment and Forestry signed the Munzur Valley National Park Long-Term Development Plan, thereby decreeing that the dam / hydroelectric plant projects planned on Munzur Valley National Park encompass greater public welfare, and that the need for energy cannot be supplied through other domestic resources due to the emergence of indispensible and definite imperative conditions.
The case launched by Dersim Cultural and Natural Legacy Protection Initiative for stay of execution on and annulment of the decision is ongoing.
Justification: greater public welfare
Relying on this decision and showing the "Greater Public Welfare Ruling" as justification, EPDK gave a preliminary license once again to Konaktepe Dam and Konaktepe Hydroelectric Plant 1 and 2 projects.
The dam and hydroelectric plant project will be built on the 35th kilometer of the Dersim Ovacık road. A 1086-square-kilometers drainage area and 1390-hectares lake area are planned for the 26-kilometer dam. The two hydroelectric plants’ installed capacity will be 150 Megawatts. (NV/PU/BM)
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