Málinec at Risk: Taraba Defends Megaproject, Locals and Mayors Remain Skeptical

Slovakia is preparing for the potential construction of a new pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Málinec, central Slovakia, which could bring billions of euros to the state budget and the Podpoľanie region, according to Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba (SNS nominee).

At a press conference on Friday, he emphasized that the project is still in the feasibility study phase and that no concrete steps have been taken yet. Before the press conference, he met with the mayors of the affected municipalities and claimed they left the meeting satisfied. However, they refute this claim.

The planned construction of the Málinec power plant, with an estimated cost of nearly €2.4 billion, has sparked widespread disapproval in the Podpoľanie and Novohrad regions.
The ministry included the project in the inter-ministerial comment procedure but did not engage with residents, mayors, or regional representatives beforehand. People only learned about the plan last week through information circulating on the internet and were given just five days to submit comments.

Source: TA3