According to the new, stricter greenhouse gases emission limits announced few days ago by the European Commission, Greek Public Power Corporation (PCC) is facing the need to upgrade some of the coal-fired units that remain under its control after the expected bailout-required sale of some 40 % of its lignite capacity.
Some of coal-fired units that were initially included in the sale list will have to be omitted as a result of stricter environmental standards for NOx and SO2 emissions, namely thermal power complex Amynteo.
Other PPC-owned lignite-fired power plants will also be impacted by the EU’s tougher emission standards, including TPP Kardia, which, along with Amynteo, face operating limits of 17,500 hours. Greece’s energy ministry, PPC and local authorities are seeking extensions to 32,000 hours, basing their claim on a capacity sustainability study prepared by electricity transmission system operator ADMIE, covering 2017 to 2027.
CEO of PPC Manolis Panagiotakis said recently that the plan for the modernization of PPC’s coal-fired units could be realized through partnerships, especially with Chinese investors despite certain EUrelated obstacles.
