Upper Horizons hydropower scheme threatens Neretva's ecosystems across Bosnia and Croatia

The Dabar hydropower plant, nearing completion in Bosnia, marks the launch of the Upper Horizons cascade, which will join three existing Lower Horizons stations that already divert roughly four billion cubic metres of Neretva water each year. The new scheme is projected to siphon an additional two billion cubic metres annually, a volume likened to 800,000 Olympic pools, threatening to reduce freshwater reaching the river’s delta and increase seawater intrusion.

Environmental watchdogs cite the loss of native fish such as meagre and flathead grey mullet, the disappearance of eel catches, and the emergence of marine species further upstream. Endemic cave fish recently spotted in Dabarsko Polje could lose their breeding floods if the planned tunnels block natural water cycles. Downstream, the Hutovo Blato nature reserve has already lost half its water supply, and further reductions could release stored carbon from its peatlands. Opposition from Croatian officials, NGOs like ACT and Bankwatch, and pending complaints under the Bern and Espoo conventions have so far failed to halt construction, which is backed by a Chinese contractor and proceeds without transparent permits.