Pljevlja Power Station

Thermal power station Primary fuelCoalPower generation Units operational1 x 225 MWNameplate capacity225 MWExternal linksCommonsRelated media on Commons

Pljevlja Power Station is a coal-fired power station in Pljevlja, Montenegro. The plant went into service in 1982 and is the only coal-fired power station in Montenegro. The plant has a generation capacity of 225 MW and produces a third of the country's electricity. The chimney of the power plant is 250 meters tall.

The majority of fuel is supplied from two surface mines operated by Rudnik uglja ad Pljevlja. The older mine is Potrlica, where mining began in 1952. A newer mine, Sumani I, supplies lesser-quality lignite coal.

Water for cooling of the power plant is supplied from accumulation of Otilovići situated on river Ćehotini 8 kilometres (5.0 mi), connected to the power plant by asphalt road.^[1]

Pljevlja Power Station began operation in 1982, with the first synchronization of the network carried out on 21 October 1982. It was the first Montenegrin condensing power plant designed with two units of 210 MW. Accumulations as well as all ancillary, technical and administrative management facilities (except for decarbonization and recirculation cooling system) were designed for two blocks. However, only one block was built.^[1]

The power station burns coal from Pljevlja, which has a guaranteed calorific value of 9,211 kilojoules per kilogram (2,201 kcal/kg). In the first period the coal was provided from Juniper coal mine. It was built on the altitude of 760 metres (2,490 ft). Since it started operating it has produced 25.23984 TWh of electricity.^[1]

In 2009 and 2010 important projects were carried out related to environmental and technological stabilization of objects: replacement of electro filter system; replacement of control systems and management; replacement of divorce 6 and 0.4 kV auxiliary consumption; replacement of generator excitation system and the installation of the generator switch.^[2] These works increased the capacity of the plant from 210 MW to 225 MW.^[1]

The power plant is owned by Elektroprivreda Crne Gore. The company is owned by the state of Montenegro (55%) and Italian company A2A S.p.A. (43,7073 %). The rest of the shares belong to some individuals and legal entities, with majority ownership of Aco Đukanović older brother of Prime Minister of Montenegro Milo Đukanović.^[3]

There is a plan to build a second unit which will eventually replace the existing one. TEP - II is designed to use best available techniques (BAT), which include all the measure for reducing waste gas emissions, including the emissions of SO₂, NO_x and dust. Because of the higher energy efficiency, CO₂ emissions will be lower than in the existing state. There is also the thermal station with maximum power of 75 MW which will provide thermal energy for district heating center, which will reduce air pollution from individual furnaces.

The investment is estimated to be €366 million.^[4] There is an ongoing procedure for the selection of a company which will construct it. Of nine companies which submitted preliminary offers, there are now three shortlisted – China's CMEC, Powerchina Hubei Electric Power Survey & Design Institute and Skoda Praha, a CEZ subsidiary from the Czech Republic.^[5]

In January 2018, more than a year after the withdrawal of the Czech Export Bank from financing the project, Skoda Praha did not find financing for the project, as it was obliged to do under the contract.^[6]

Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) and the Government have emphasized their commitment to moving forward with the project and promised to make a proposal on an alternative solution for carrying out the project by the end of January 2018.^[6]

Concerns have been raised the negative impact of the power plant on the environment, including air, water and soil. Following the replacement of electrostatic systems in 2009–2010, dust emissions are below the permitted limit, but levels of emissions of major air pollutants, such as SO₂ and NO_x remain above the permitted limit value. Characteristics of waste water also do not meet requirements of current water regulations.^[4]

In 2013, a study from the University of Stuttgart, commissioned by Greenpeace, found that although improvement works reduced levels of pollutants, projected emissions from the plant cause 14.9 premature deaths annually, equivalent to 160 years of life and 3,371 working days lost.^[7]

Questions have been raised about the economic feasibility of the power station. Less than 10 years remain for the plant's service life, requiring high investment costs of approximately €100–150mn. This would include construction of new ash and slag landfills to replace the outdated old ones, reconstruction of transport systems and the resolution of security problems such as stabilization of earth dams. The addressing of environmental problems would entail further costs.^[4]

The Montenegrin Government has been criticised for a lack of transparency in preparation for the new project. After the completion of the selection process, the Montenegrin Government plans to make an intergovernmental agreement with the home government of the chosen company, avoiding public tender. Critiques point to lack of answers and public consultation regarding targeted consumers of the produced electricity, the project's financial viability, possible alternatives and the impact on human health and environment.^[8]

Media related to Pljevlja Power Station at Wikimedia Commons

• http://www.epcg.com/o-nama/termoelektrana-pljevlja
• Pljevlja II Power Station at SourceWatch