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Technical Chamber of Greece is committed to continuing the use of modern lignite power plants

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The Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) advocates the continued use of modern lignite power plants, despite the decision of the Greek government to withdraw lignite. As an argument from TEE, they say that the participation of lignite in the energy mix in the next few years would mean security in the supply of sufficient electricity and the provision of strategic reserves of the country.

The share of lignite in the energy mix with 10 to 12 percent in the next few years would mean security in the supply of a sufficient amount of electricity and provide the country’s strategic reserves, according to the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE). TEE is committed to continuing the use of modern lignite power plants, and is against removing lignite from the energy mix.

The management of the Chamber officially adopted this position by internal voting. Their scientific committee, made up of metallurgical engineers, expressed strong concern over the government’s decision to cut electricity production from lignite prematurely, as part of a plan to decarbonise the country.

The TEE Scientific Committee pointed out that the decision to withdraw lignite should have been preceded by an extensive public debate. A detailed study also needed to be done. This decision is of great strategic importance for Greece.

(Un) fair transition

The approved lignite withdrawal master plan has been rejected by regional authorities in two lignite-dependent Greek regions. These are western Macedonia, in the north, and Megalopolis in the Peloponnese. The committee stated that the reasons for the rejection were that the proposals forwarded by the local authorities and citizens were not considered. They have not been discussed.

A total of 19 months have passed and more than 2,500 jobs have been lost since the government’s decision to prematurely withdraw lignite-fired power plants in two areas. However, the board stressed that the administration’s master plan for a fair transition still lacks transparency. The goal of this plan is to restructure local lignite-dependent economies.

EU funds have melted

EU funds, which have been made available to restructure the two lignite-dependent economies, are insufficient for a proper and fair transition, the Chamber added.

These funds amount to just over 700 million euros. That is significantly below the amount of five billion euros, which was originally announced from Brussels.

Source: Energija Balkana

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