The residents of Gjorica are protesting against photovoltaics, on their land, a project behind which stands the energy oligarch, Marin Gjonaj. On Thursday, the residents entered the premises of the municipality demanding the ban of the project, which they consider a direct threat to the pastures they have been using for years for livestock. According to them, the loss of these spaces endangers the livelihood of dozens of families that rely on livestock.
The situation has escalated even further due to the presence of police forces, which prevented the residents from entering the Municipal Council meeting hall, leading to its interruption.
The protestors have also raised accusations of irregularities in the process of approving the project, claiming that the signatures in support of it were collected by people who do not live in Gjorica, which according to them makes the process invalid.
This crash is not isolated. Just a few weeks ago, a public hearing in Gjorica i Poshtme was accompanied by strong tensions, as the residents opposed the auctioning of forest and pasture land for economic projects, mainly energy.
At that meeting, the community raised the concern that over 100 hectares of land have already been given for such projects, while other areas are in the pipeline, significantly reducing the spaces for livestock.
Residents warn that if this trend continues, the area risks losing its traditional economic function and facing abandonment, while stressing that they are not against investments, but against the way they are being carried out.
The municipality of Bulqiza has approved the transfer of lands with an area of 42.5 hectares for the project ‘Gjorica Solar Park’.
The procedures on the ground for the ‘Solar Park Gjorica’ project started at the end of 2023, while in August 2025 the Energy Regulatory Authority approved the start of the procedure for licensing the company “Infotelecom-Albsolar 4” shpk for the plant on “Gjorica e Poshtme” street, Gjorica Administrative Unit, Bulqiza Municipality.
