Thermal Power Plant Ugljevik in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been offline since January 1, 2026, following a significant fire incident that occurred on December 30, 2025. This event has raised concerns regarding the operational integrity and safety protocols at the facility.
The outage was attributed to a malfunction in the slag removal system, which is believed to have stemmed from human error. This failure resulted in the inability to continuously discharge slag, leading to its accumulation and subsequent mechanical damage that sparked the fire within the plant.
The presence of large quantities of coal dust in the boiler area exacerbated the situation, creating a potential explosion hazard. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of this incident, but the risk posed by the accumulated coal dust highlights significant safety vulnerabilities.
Reports indicate that routine boiler washing, a critical safety measure, has not been conducted for several years. The current dust-removal strategy relies primarily on suction methods, which are deemed insufficient for preventing the self-ignition of coal dust. This deficiency poses risks not only to equipment integrity but also to personnel safety.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Ugljevik’s management has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident or provide an estimated timeline for when operations might resume. The prolonged shutdown raises questions about the plant’s future operational capacity and regulatory compliance moving forward.
