Protests hit Ukraine plan for hydroelectric stations on Dniester River

March 14: On Tuesday, in Chisinau, Moldova, Tiraspol, Transnistria, and Soroca, Moldova, dozens of citizens came to protests demanding an end to Ukraine’s plans to build hydropower plants on the upper reaches of the Dniester River, which will lead to the drainage of the river in its middle and lower reaches.

In Chisinau, demonstrations were held in front of the Ukrainian Embassy and the EU Mission to Moldova. The banners held by protesters read: “We oppose hydrolectric plants on the Dniester” and “EU – You are responsible for what you’ve tamed!”

In Tiraspol, young environmentalists came to the rally with a banner reading: “No dams on the Dniester! Save the Dniester!”

In Soroca, dozens of young people organized a flash mob on the banks of the Dniester River, lined up in an improvised word NU (“No” – Ed.).

Earlier, it was reported that on July 13, 2016, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved a program for hydropower development to 2026. It involves the construction of six new hydroelectric power stations on the upper Dniester River, which already hosts Europe’s largest, Novodnestrovskaya (with a capacity of 1.25 million kW). The construction has caused concern among ecological experts of Moldova and Ukraine. In February 2017, Moldovan Prime Minister Pavel Filip discussed the matter with his counterpart, Vladimir Groisman. However, Ukraine has not abandoned the idea of ​​building the hydroelectric power plants.

In turn, environmentalists and scientists of Moldova and Ukraine said that the construction of six hydroelectric power plants on the upper Dniester River will lead to the river’s destruction.

March 14 is the International Day of Rivers, also known as the International Day of Action against Dams.

Translated by Greg Butterfield