THE INFLUENCE OF HYDRO POWER PLANT CONSTRUCTION ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN COMMUNITY OF BREZICE

Magistrsko delo predstavlja vpliv izgradnje hidroelektrarne Brežice na kakovost življenja občanov Občine Brežice. Namen magistrskega dela je bil proučiti, kako je izgradnja hidroelektrarne Brežice vplivala na življenje prebivalcev v neposredni bližini in kakšen je bil njen doprinos okolju. V okviru magistrskega dela sem izvedla raziskavo, v kateri sem združila ugotovitve, pridobljene s pomočjo intervjuja in anketnega vprašalnika. Anketni vprašalnik, ki sem ga zasnovala sama, je imel 14 vprašanj, izpolnilo pa ga je 106 prebivalcev Občine Brežice. Rezultati so pokazali, da občani Občine Brežice zelo radi preživljajo svoj prosti čas v aktivnostih, ki jih ponuja hidroelektrarna Brežice in da v lokalnem okolju prepoznavajo koristi, ki jih le-ta prinaša. Izvedla sem tudi tri intervjuje s strokovnjaki, povezanimi z izgradnjo hidroelektrarne. Zastavila sem jim odprto vprašanje: »Kakšni so vplivi izgradnje HE na okolje in s tem povezani vplivi na kakovost življenja ljudi?« Strokovnjaki so izpostavili pozitivne vidike izgradnje hidroelektrarne: izboljšanje življenjskih pogojev (predvsem zaradi novih rekreacijskih površin), trajni dohodek za lokalno skupnost in druge ekonomske učinke. Izvedla sem tudi mednarodno primerjavo treh različnih hidroelektrarn (v Brežicah, Srbiji in Avstriji) in ugotovila, da so ureditve rečnega prostora ter posledično aktivnosti, ki jih te omogočajo, različne. Ugotovitev magistrskega dela je, da hidroelektrarna Brežice predstavlja pomemben doprinos lokalnemu okolju, saj z novimi rekreacijskimi površinami in novo infrastrukturo pomembno vpliva na kakovost življenja okoliških prebivalcev, zagotavlja oskrbo z obnovljivo energijo, omogoča gospodarski razvoj lokalne skupnosti (redni dohodek za lokalno službo, nova delovna mesta) in tudi razvoj novih panog, kot so turizem, ribištvo in kmetijstvo.The master\u27s thesis describes the influence of the hydropower Brežice plant building on the quality of life. The aim of the research was to examine the influence of the hydropower plant construction on the lives of the inhabitants living nearby and its contribution to the environment. As a part of my master\u27s thesis, I conducted a survey in which I combined the findings gained through an interview and a survey questionnaire (fourteen questions), which I designed. One hundred and six inhabitants of the municipality of Brežice filled it out. The survey data show that the inhabitants are very fond of spending their leisure time in the activities offered by the hydroelectric power station and that they recognize the benefits it brings. I also did three interviews with experts related to the construction of the hydropower plant. I asked them the open-ended question: "What are the impacts of the hydropower plant building on the environment and the related influence on the life quality of the local residents?". Experts highlighted the positive aspects of the construction of the hydropower plant. For instance, improving living conditions (mainly due to new recreational areas), permanent income for the local community and other economic impacts. I also made an international comparison of three different hydropower plants (in Brežice, Serbia and Austria). I found out that river basin arrangements and, consequently, the activities they enable them are different. The finding of my master\u27s thesis is that hydroelectric power plant in Brežice represents an important contribution to the local environment, as new infrastructure and recreational areas have a significant impact on the life quality of the locals. It also provides renewable energy supply, facilitates economic development of the local community (regular income for local service, new jobs) and stimulates the development of new industries such as tourism, fisheries and agriculture