Abstract
BackgroundAs the countries of the Western Balkans (WB) have committed to sustainable development, the process of regulatory and economic adjustment is underway. As part of the aforementioned fact, the WB countries have commenced exploitation of energy from renewable sources, among which hydropower is the most important. The main objective of the study is to analyse the status of renewable energy transition in the WB region, focusing on the construction and exploitation of small hydropower plants (SHPPs), as well as a proposal for an original model for decision making in this field, based on a multidimensional decision-making space. Namely, in most cases, there is resistance to the construction of SHPPs in the WB territory, as well as divided opinion among investors, companies, environmental movements, academia, and citizens on this issue. This shows that the entire decision-making process has to be reviewed and re-designed.ResultsThe results of the study show that the construction of SHPPs caused damage to environmentally protected areas, living conditions of local communities, touristic and agricultural potential. All of the foregoing matters have led to mass protests by citizens and a high degree of mistrust so that the future of SHPPs in the WB is extremely uncertain. The assessment of the acceptability of existing SHPPs through the proposed model showed that 74% of SHPPs cannot be considered acceptable from the aspect of the location where they were built, and from the aspect of the impact on the quality of life of the local population. Accordingly, this paper provides suggestions for much-needed improvements.ConclusionsThe construction of SHPPs is causing numerous controversies, opposition, and resistance. To find the right solution, and contribute to sustainable energy and economic development, it is necessary to develop a fully transparent and objective policy system in this field, and to use contemporary models for decision making with emphasis on the involvement local communities in the decision-making process.
Highlights
As the countries of the Western Balkans (WB) have committed to sustainable development, the process of regulatory and economic adjustment is underway
The main aim of this study is to review and analyse the construction of small hydropower plants (SHPPs) in the WB region, and to define a model for assessing their sustainability in terms of environmental and social acceptability
The WB and the EU sustainable energy transition The problem of pollution caused by the exploitation of conventional energy sources in the WB region is a problem of this region, and has consequences for Europe as a whole
Summary
As the countries of the Western Balkans (WB) have committed to sustainable development, the process of regulatory and economic adjustment is underway. In most cases, there is resistance to the construction of SHPPs in the WB territory, as well as divided opinion among investors, companies, environmental movements, academia, and citizens on this issue. This shows that the entire decision-making process has to be reviewed and re-designed. According to The Paris Climate Accords, the Pavlakovič et al Energy, Sustainability and Society (2022) 12:9 main goal is to prevent an increase in the global average temperature and, if possible, to return to the period when the global warming was below 1.5 degrees Celsius (preindustrial period). The EU strongly supports sustainable development goals, and with its strategies, projects, and activities, it strives to enable their most efficient implementation. It can be noted that the key to success lies in enabling people to possess the appropriate skills and knowledge for the green jobs of tomorrow
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