Romania needs to spend EUR 1.9 billion in order to harmonize the operation of thermal power plants with European regulations, but before they invest this amount in the polluting industry that belongs to the past, it is more convenient for the state to gradually eliminate it by 2021, warns the representatives of Greenpeace Romania, in a report released on Tuesday.
“Instead of investing two billion euros in a gathering and polluting industry that belongs to the past, it is more convenient that it is gradually eliminated by 2021, and this huge sum invests in renewable, cheap and clean energy. Only in this way, Romania can protect the health of its citizens and the environment, and to comply with the commitments made by Europe and Romania under the Paris Climate Agreement, “says Alin Tanase, Greenpeace Coordinator in Romania.
According to the document “New Emission Standards – A New Reality for the Coal Energy Sector”, the total estimated costs necessary for the adjustment of power plant coal in Romania shall be EUR 1.6-1.9 billion.
“2017 year brought new regulations in industrial emissions. The European Union has just adopted a new law on protecting the health of its citizens by reducing pollutant emissions from the energy sector. The rules apply to the reduction of pollutants such as particles, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides and mercury that are harmful to human health. New regulations are more restrictive than valid, and the process is cyclical – emission limits will be tightened every 4-6 years. Thermal power plants will have to adjust through investments in modernization, and the deadline is 2021. For coal power plants this doesn’t mean only new costs, but also the calculation of operational profit and the adoption of a decision on whether the modernization is economically viable or coal blocks have to be removed, “it concludes in the document.
The report indicates that more than 85% of Romanian thermal power plants are older than 30 years and have reached the estimated working life.