Given the broad interest and increasing concerns voiced by environmental organisations and affected communities about hydropower development in Albania, it is crucial to assess and demonstrate if the environmental and socioeconomic development impacts of hydroelectric energy generation enable or hamper the delivery of value for money for taxpayers in Albania. The SAVi results suggest that the hydropower assets cannot be considered a preferable solution to generate electricity for the Albanian people, as they cause higher costs to communities, the environment, and the state than they generate benefits.
The SAVi assessment informs the public debate in Albania on the environmental and societal costs of the hydropower projects Poçem and Kalivaç, and sheds light on the economic concerns regarding hydropower performance. The results also suggest that solar photovoltaic represents a more beneficial and viable alternative for generating a comparable amount of electricity in Albania.