AEOTOMILITSA – AOOS vs. Small Hydropower Projects and Wind Farms
We speak with Aspa Skaperda, a resident of Thessaloniki and Aetomilitsa, and a private employee. The struggle began in 2022 to keep and bring back young people to their hometowns. It’s a fight for the unique, untouched river of Europe, Aoos.
This rare, sensitive ecosystem of the Vikos–Aoos National Park is home to:
- 1700 species and subspecies of plants,
- 18 species of cranes,
- 43 species of clover,
- 14 species of bellflowers,
- 50 species of forest trees and shrubs,
- 24 species of mammals,
- 133 species of birds, and some fish.
“Today in Europe, at least 19,300 small hydropower projects (MΥΗΕ) degrade rivers, and 8,000 are under assessment. Of these, 2,000 were operational in the Balkan region, and more than 3,500 were under assessment. These numbers are alarming, and the contradictions are significant, as the EU Biodiversity Strategy with a 2030 horizon aims to restore 25,000 km of rivers to become (or become again) rivers. In the Balkans, it is estimated that 49% of hydropower projects (mostly small ones) are located in protected areas.
In Greece, according to March 2022 data, there are 1,580 licenses for small hydropower projects in rivers, tributaries, and streams, including those that dry up in the summer months.”
The photos were taken in May 2023 in Kefalohori. This was an excursion and protest by hiking associations from Epirus and residents from Drosopigi, Tampouri, and Smolikas, at 1878 meters, against wind farms and small hydropower projects in rivers and mountains.
Enjoy listening!