Put into operation 30 years ago, the Dniester Hydropower Complex situated on the territory of Ukraine was brought into focus only during the last decade. Several years ago, the Ukrainian authorities reconfirmed the plans to extend the hydropower system by building a new power plant. This would cause considerable damage to the Nistru River and the population that is somehow connected to it. It concerns most of the inhabitants of the Republic of Moldova and Odessa Oblast of Ukraine for which the water from the river is the main source of drinking water and water for household use, shows a study commissioned by UNDP Moldova that is quoted by IPN.
Even if the forecasts concerning the impact of the extension of the Novodnestrovsc power plant were different, from moderate to apocalyptical, there is no exact assessment of the possible damage that will be caused if the system is extended. However, by different methodologies, the extent of the damage done to the river and the population can be gauged.
The study shows the relationship between the Dniester Hydropower Complex and the unfavorable changes experienced by the localities that depend on the benefits offered by the river are evident. The building of the dam for the central reservoir led to a dramatic decline in the volume of water in the river and this caused a change in the river’s ecosystem, causing ultimately damage to the flora and fauna and also to irrigation systems.
The losses of water when the price of a cubic meter (price of drinking water sold in shops) is US$25, the annual economic losses in 1991-2015 came to US$27 million on average if taking into account the flow capacity in Moghiliov-Podolski and to an almost twice higher amount if taking into consideration the decline in the flow capacity in Bender.
Given the areas of the river ecosystems, about 93.2 tonnes of fish were collected before the Dniester Hydropower Complex was built. Now the amount of caught fish is of about 20 tonnes. The population of fish of types with value added declined dramatically in favor of the cheap types of fish. The populating of the river with fish is a compensatory measure that should be taken to artificially ensure fishing.
Besides these losses that can be easier determined, there are losses related to the diminution of wooded areas on the banks of the Nistru, of meadows and wetlands that ensure the fileting of water. The loss of vegetation results in the reduction of quantities of carbon dioxide assimilated from the atmosphere. Also, the damage caused to tourism in the localities from the vicinity of the Complex during the 30 years of its launch was assessed at about US$32,000.
The study was commissioned by UNDP Moldova and was developed by a team of independent experts at the request of the Ministry of the Environment, with financial support from Sweden.
