If the environmental impact assessment (EIA) doesn’t reveal a possible excessive impact on the environment and people’s health, Slovenia’s Šoštanj thermal power plant (TPP) intends to start trial co-incineration of solid recovered fuel (SRF) next year.

The project will be implemented by Termoelektrarna Šoštanj (TEŠ), subsidiary of state-owned power utility Holding Slovenske Elektrarne (HSE).

The final investment decision is still pending

The final investment decision is still pending because EIA is not finished, HSE said on its website, adding the consent of the local community is crucial.

The project was presented to Velenje city officials and also on the round table

A presentation of the SRF co-incineration project was held in Velenje, a town located near TPP Šoštanj. The project was presented to municipal officials and also at a round table.

In case the EIA unveils potential excessive impact on the environment and the health of the nearby population, TEŠ will not proceed with the project, said the utility’s director Mitja Tašler, who was appointed in September 2019.

Co-incineration will reduce CO2 emissions by 156,000 tonnes below the current levels

If the analysis is in line with all the prescribed limitations, TEŠ expects trial co-incineration to start at the end of 2021, and full operation in 2022.

Co-incineration is a step forward in reducing emissions and one of the first steps towards greener energy, Tašler said, adding that the project would reduce CO2 emissions by 156,000 tonnes below the current levels.

At the same time, TEŠ expects a smaller amount of co-incineration byproducts like ash and slag.

TPP Šoštanj has two units, 5 and 6. Blocks 1, 2, 3 and 4 have been shut down. The last was unit 4, in 2018.

The recently presented draft national energy and climate plan (NECP) also envisages the closure of unit 5.