The Ministry of Environment has issued the environmental permit for the completion of works at the Cornetu-Avrig hydroelectric power plant / The investment is estimated to produce 156.8 GWh annually

On September 21, the Ministry of Environment issued environmental approval for the completion of works related to the hydropower development on the Olt River, carried out by Hidroelectrica. The investment is estimated to generate 156.8 GWh of renewable energy annually, equivalent to the consumption of more than 52,000 households.

The project concerns works begun under the plan approved in 1989, which comprises five hydropower stages: Cornetu, Robești, Câineni, Lotrioara and Racovița. The approval provides for the completion of the Câineni and Lotrioara stages, as well as interventions at the Racovița development.

The technical solution takes into account the existing infrastructure in the Olt Gorge and seeks, wherever possible, to preserve the current sites of the railway and DN7 national road. At Racovița, works are planned to protect the railway bridges and remove the weir downstream from the power plant, allowing it to operate at its designed parameters.

The assessment included the environmental impact report, the appropriate assessment study and an analysis of the impact on water bodies. The approval establishes measures to mitigate environmental effects and monitoring obligations throughout the works and during the operational phase.

The procedure included public consultation and debates held in Câineni and Boița. Four submissions containing comments were received, from three individuals and one legal entity. The document also includes the conditions set by the Ministry of Culture for the protection of the historic monument known as the Spart Tower.