The court has rejected a lawsuit filed by an environmental NGO seeking the annulment of the environmental permit for the Livezeni-Bumbești hydropower development, former Minister of Environment Mircea Fechet (a member of the Liberal Party) announced on his social media page.
“Another legal victory for a hydropower project-this time for Livezeni-Bumbești, a development declared to be of ‘major national importance’ by the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT) and one that I supported during my time as minister. The court rejected the lawsuit filed by the association Bankwatch Romania, which sought to annul the environmental permit for this hydropower project on the Jiu River. It also dismissed the request to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union, as well as the plea of illegality. A complete victory,” writes Mircea Fechet, noting that “in March, a request to suspend the same permit had already been rejected as inadmissible. Now, the request for its annulment has also failed.”
“Environmental Agreement No. 2 was issued on June 17, 2025, during my tenure as Minister of Environment, Waters and Forests. I knew it would be challenged, but I also knew it was sound-the result of a rigorous analysis that balanced the protection of the Jiu Gorge with Romania’s need for clean, domestically produced energy. Today, the court confirmed this: the agreement stands. Why does this matter? Because we are talking about an investment of over 1.1 billion lei, which, among other benefits, can generate enough clean energy annually to power more than 85,000 households. Romanian energy, not imported energy. Every megawatt produced within the country counts.
Of course, this ruling can be appealed within 15 days-and I expect it will be. For years, this has been the typical path for any hydropower development project in Romania: one legal challenge after another, one lawsuit after another,” the former minister added.
“I respect everyone’s right to seek recourse in court. However, after two lost lawsuits, I believe it is time to accept a simple fact: a project designated by the Supreme Council of National Defense as being of ‘major national importance’ cannot be held hostage indefinitely. I hope the current ministry leadership will defend this agreement just as firmly during the appeal process-and that they will show the same resolve regarding other stalled hydropower projects, from Răstolița to Cornetu-Avrig.”
