Nestled at the foothills of Călimani National Park in eastern Romania, the Răstolița river, a tributary of the Mureș, flows through a pristine and biodiverse landscape. However, this idyllic setting is under threat from the Răstolița hydropower project, a relic of the communist era. Designed over 30 years ago, this outdated project is incompatible with modern environmental standards and poses a severe threat to the unique ecosystem of the Răstolița river, home to the endangered Danube salmon.
A project anchored in the past
Hidden deep within the Călimani forest, a massive concrete dam lies cracked and neglected. The dam forms part of the Răstolița hydropower project, which dates back to 1991, when construction began under a permit issued in 1990. However, the project was abandoned during the 1990s after reaching the dam’s minimum operational height of 63 metres and installing a network of pipes to divert water from the surrounding rivers. Now, using the outdated permit, the Romanian state-owned energy company, Hidroelectrica, is attempting to resurrect the project and has already built a power plant over 10 kilometres downstream from the dam.
However, the world has changed drastically over the last 35 years. Environmental standards have evolved for the better, exemplified by the creation of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas, which includes Călimani National Park. Safety regulations have been updated, construction technologies have advanced, and climate change has dramatically altered the river’s flow and the surrounding environment. Indeed, the mean water flow is now considerably lower than when the project was initially planned, further undermining its viability.
The project involves clearing 39 hectares of pristine forest within protected natural areas. Crucial for carbon sequestration, the forested areas currently store an estimated 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. They also provide vital habitats for endangered species such as the lynx (Lynx lynx), the brown bear (Ursus arctos), the ground beetle (Carabus hampei), and the hermit beetle (Osmoderma eremita).
In addition to its important role in biodiversity conservation, the forest is a crucial natural buffer for flood mitigation and prevention. Therefore, removing the forest’s natural flood defences will significantly increase the risk of flooding in the area.
Moreover, the potential energy output of the Răstolița project amounts to a mere 0.081 per cent of Romania’s annual energy production (46.3 gigawatt hours). Yet, this minimal energy gain comes at a massive environmental cost. The project will destroy the Răstolița river and several other tributaries of the Mureș, wiping out one of the last breeding grounds of the Danube salmon (Hucho hucho) and violating multiple European environmental directives.
A fragmented and incomplete evaluation
In October 2024, an environmental permit was issued for the forest clearing necessary to complete the Răstolița hydropower plant. Fighting back, Bankwatch Romania and Declic, a prominent Romanian civil society organisation, subsequently filed an injunctive relief request to halt the project until the legality of the permit can be determined in court.
Their legal challenge addresses multiple critical issues, including an incomplete environmental impact assessment and serious procedural violations that cast doubt on the legitimacy of the entire authorisation process.
Their main concern is the lack of an integrated analysis of the project’s overall impact. The environmental impact assessment (EIA) report focuses exclusively on deforestation, completely ignoring the major effects of hydrotechnical works on soil, water and biodiversity. ‘In the face of the urgent need for energy independence, the Răstolița project is akin to using a wet napkin to extinguish a raging fire – a symbolic gesture lacking any real impact,’ states the request.
The environmental permit was issued for all remaining construction works, despite the EIA only analysing the impact of deforestation. ‘This decision, made without proper public consultation and issued on the same day the period for submitting comments ended, demonstrates a blatant disregard for legal requirements and public input,’ says Vlad Popescu, director of Bankwatch Romania.
The injunctive relief request is crucial to prevent irreversible environmental damage. While the authorities argue that the damage has already been inflicted by the works completed to date, the river still flows freely between the dam and the Mureș river, allowing the Danube salmon to breed in existing habitats. However, once the plant becomes operational, the river’s flow will be dramatically reduced, and the project’s true environmental impact will become evident.
The project will also have severe downstream impacts on the Mureș river due to hydropeaking – the discontinuous release of water through turbines to meet fluctuating energy demands. ‘Hydropeaking is extremely dangerous for river ecosystems, as most aquatic species cannot adapt to these rapid and unpredictable water level changes. The impacts on the Mureș river downstream will be significant’, warns Andrey Ralev, biodiversity expert and CEE Bankwatch Network campaigner.
The solution lies not in further subjecting nature to human demands by constructing massive and destructive hydropower infrastructure. Instead, we must strive to work in harmony with natural processes, repair the water cycle, and prioritise sustainable and environmentally responsible solutions.
We urge the European Commission to investigate Romania’s non-compliance with the Habitats and Water Framework Directives. Immediate action is required to prevent irrevocable damage to this vital ecosystem.