The Minister of Mining and Energy, Mrs. Dubravka
Đedović Handanović, together with the General Manager of Elektroprivreda
Srbije, Mr. Dušan Živković, visited the construction site for flue gas
desulphurization (FGD) in the thermal power plant "Nikola Tesla B".
- This is one of the largest construction sites in
Serbia and one of the most important projects, because the operation of this
plant will reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by as much as 30 times. With the
completion of this project, worth about 220 million euros, all large thermal
power plants in EPS, i.e., more than 90 percent of thermal capacities, will be
completely environmentally friendly at the level of both the European and
Serbian standards, which means better air quality - said the Minister of Mining
and Energy.
She emphasized that 330 workers are currently working
on the construction site, but that more are expected in the coming weeks and
months for the contractor to meet the deadlines.
- We hope that everybody will put extra efforts for completing
construction of the plant in the first half of the next year. It is important
to work at full speed – said Mrs. Đedović Handanović.
She pointed out that it is important that the plant
same as this one was completed this year in TENT A, and thus Obrenovac and
Belgrade have better air quality. Mrs. Đedović Handanović also emphasized that
the construction of a wastewater treatment plant is being completed in TENT B,
which is also a significant environmental investment. The Minister reminded
that the project of construction of desulphurization plant in TENT B, as well
as in TENT A, is being implemented in cooperation with the Japanese partners -
the company "Mitsubishi Power".
Mr. Dušan Živković, General Manager of Elektroprivreda
Srbije, emphasized that the construction of the flue gas desulphurization plant
in TENT B is another indicator that EPS cares about ecology.
- When the works are completed, all large units in EPS
will have all the measures for environmental protection, and besides Unit B3 in
Kostolac, this is one of the greatest investment projects," said Mr. Živković.
– After the construction of this plant, sulphur dioxide emissions will be at
the level of the European standards below 130 milligrams per cubic meter, while
emissions of particulate matters will be reduced to a level of less than 20
milligrams per cubic meter.
Mr. Živković emphasized that the same technology is
used at both units in TENT B, with the use of limestone, where the by-product
is gypsum and the production of about 300,000 tons of gypsum, which has become an
incredibly competitive commodity for the construction industry, is expected.
