teŠ power plant and premogovnik coal mine2006/03/19 · table 22: limit values of noise indicators...

TEŠ Power Plant and Premogovnik Coal Mine

Environmental Impact Assessment Addendum

October 2009

TES Power Plant and PV Coal Mine Environmental Impact Assessment Addendum

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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION 7

1. LOCATION 9

2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 10 2.1 Thermal power plant Šoštanj (TEŠ) and planned Unit 6 10 2.2 Coal mine Velenje (PV) 10

2.2.1 Underground facilities 10

2.2.2 Coal Basin Geology 12

2.2.3 Hydrogeology 15

2.2.4 Mining Method 15

2.2.5 Subsidence and Surface Effects 18 2.3 Transmission lines 19

3. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 21 3.1 Geomorphologic and geologic characteristics 21

3.1.1 Present situation 21

3.1.2 Environmental impact 22

3.1.3 Mitigation measures 23

3.1.4 Monitoring 24 3.2 Groundwater 24




3.2.4 Monitoring 26 3.3 Surface waters 26




3.3.4 Monitoring 34 3.4 Soils 34




3.4.4 Monitoring 36 3.5 Air quality 36




3.5.4 Monitoring 42 3.6 Noise and vibrations 43



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3.6.4 Monitoring 47 3.7 Flora, fauna, vegetation and habitat types 48




3.7.4 Monitoring 49 3.8 Nature protection areas and cultural heritage 49




3.8.4 Monitoring 53 3.9 Landscape properties and visual qualities 53




3.9.4 Monitoring 55 3.10 Settlement 55


3.10.2 Social impact 57

3.10.3 Mitigating measures 58

3.10.4 Monitoring 58 3.11 Economy 58



3.11.3 Mitigating measures 60

3.11.4 Monitoring 60 3.12 Quality of living 60




3.12.4 Monitoring 64

4. CONFIRMATION THAT THE POWER PLANT AND ASSOCIATED OPERATIONS (INCLUDING MINES) ARE DESIGNED TO MEET EU IPPC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SECTOR 65

4.1 Preliminary BAT Assessment of planned operations at the TPP Šoštanj 65

4.1.1 Reference document on BAT for large combustion plants 65

4.1.2 Reference document on BAT for industrial cooling systems 85

4.1.3 Reference document on BAT for emissions from storage 86 4.2 BAT Assessment of operations for coal mine Velenje 87

5. ASSESSMENT OF ALTERNATIVES AND WHETHER THE PROJECT IS CARBON CAPTURE READY AND IS CARBON CAPTURE FEASIBLE IN THIS AREA 88

5.1 Introduction 88


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5.2 CCS project in TPP Šoštanj 89 5.3 Conclusions 94

6. CUMULATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS OF THE PROJECT 95

7. LIST OF REFERENCES 96

List of tables

Table 1: Overview of existing EIA Report for construction and operation of Unit 6 in TPP Šoštanj, Ref. no. 1973 (EIMV, July 2009) ......................................................................................................................................8 Table 2: Capacity of transmission lines connecting TEŠ to the transmission grid and the current total production capacity of the TEŠ units ............................................................................................................... 20 Table 3: Average content of heavy metals As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se, V and Zn in Šalek Valley groundwater (Justin 2005) .................................................................................................................................................... 25 Table 4: Lake Druţmirje development in years 2000-2008 (source: PV, 2009).............................................. 28 Table 5: Results of physical-chemical anayses of the Paka River, 29 - 05 – 2008 (source: ERICo, 2009) ... 28 Table 6: Results of physical- chemical research river edimenrt samples of the Paka River: 05-12-2008 (source: ERICo, 2009) ..................................................................................................................................... 29 Table 7: Annual average value of pararneters on sample locations Pesje and upstream from TEŠ, and momentary values in tributaries - year 2008 (source: ERICo, 2009) .............................................................. 29 Table 8: The results of samples analysis of rainfall - wastewater effluent into the Paka River (NOP - 23.06.2009) (source: ERICo, 2009) ................................................................................................................. 31 Table 9: Sample analysis of Wastewater from pumping station K — 130 Preloge and pumping station K — 120 Škale, August 2009 .............................................................................................................................. 32 Table 10: Parameters of gas at gas outflow from the ventilation station Pesje.............................................. 38 Table 11: Total dust emission concentrations from the ventilation station Pesje ............................................ 38 Table 12: Emission concentrations of VOC from the ventilation station Pesje ............................................... 38 Table 13: Emission concentrations of volatile gasses CO, CO2, O2, NOx, SO, DMS, CH4, H2, H2S from the ventilation station Pesje ............................................................................................................................. 39 Table 14: Emission concentrations of heavy metals Pb, Cr, Ni, Cd, As, Cu and Tl from the ventilation station Pesje .................................................................................................................................................... 39 Table 15: Emission concentrations of heavy metals Hg, Se, Sb, Sn, Pd, Mn and V fom the ventilation station Pesje .................................................................................................................................................... 39 Table 16: Parameters of gas at gas outflow from the ventilation station Škale............................................... 39 Table 17: Total dust emission concentrations from the ventilation station Škale ............................................ 40 Table 18: Emission concentrations of VOC from the ventilation station Škale ............................................... 40 Table 19: Emission concentrations of volatile gasses CO, CO2, O2, NOx, SO, DMS, CH4, H2, H2S fom the ventilation station Škale ............................................................................................................................. 40 Table 20: Emission concentrations of heavy metals Pb, Cr, Ni, Cd, As, Cu and Tl fom the ventilation station Škale .................................................................................................................................................... 40 Table 21: Emission concentrations of heavy metals Hg, Se, Sb, Sn, Pd, Mn and V fom the ventilation station Škale .................................................................................................................................................... 40 Table 22: Limit values of noise indicators Lday, Levening, Lnight, Ldaily caused by a noise source (Decree on limit values of noise indicators in environment (Official Gazette RS, No. 105/05, 34/08) ............ 43 Table 23: Noise peak limit values L1 caused by a noise source (Decree on limit values of noise indicators in environment (Official Gazette RS, NO. 105/05, 34/08) ............................................................................... 43 Table 24: Limit values of noise indicators Lnight, Ldaily for noise protection level areas (Decree on limit values of noise indicators in environment (Official Gazette RS, NO. 105/05, 34/08) ...................................... 43 Table 25: Noise measurements on locations 1,2 and 3 .................................................................................. 44 Table 26: Noise measurements on locations 4, 5 and 6 ................................................................................. 45 Table 27: Noise measurements on locations 7,8 and 9 .................................................................................. 46 Table 28: BAT Emission Values for SO2 ......................................................................................................... 66 Table 29: BAT Emission Values for NOx ......................................................................................................... 66 Table 30: BAT Emission Values for Dust ........................................................................................................ 67 Table 31: Estimated emissions of sulphur dioxide in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5, 6 and the gas turbine ....................................................................................................................................................... 68


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Table 32: Estimated emissions of sulphur diokside in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5, 6 and the gas turbine ....................................................................................................................................................... 72 Table 33: Estimated emissions of particulate matter in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5, 6 and the gas turbine ................................................................................................................................................. 76 Table 34: Estimated emissions of carbon monoxide in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5, 6 and the gas turbine ................................................................................................................................................. 79 Table 35: Estimated HCl emissions in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5 and 6 ................................ 82 Table 36: Estimated HF emissions in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5 and 6 ................................. 83 Table 37: Estimated HF emissions in different operational loads of Unit 6 ..................................................... 85 Table 38: Estimated emissions of CO2 into the atmosphere in the period from 2009 to 2027 ....................... 89 Table 39: Specific CO2 emissions for net electrical energy in the period from 2009 to 2027 (kg/kWhe net) .. 90 Table 40: Specific CO2 emissions for gross electrical energy in the period from 2009 to 2027 (kg/kWhe gross) ............................................................................................................................................... 90

List of Figures Figure 1: Aerial view of Šalek Valley (Source: Geopedia 2009) ........................................................................9 Figure 2: Conveyor belt equipped roadway ..................................................................................................... 11 Figure 3: Suspended monorail ........................................................................................................................ 11 Figure 4: Chair lift for miners transport ............................................................................................................ 11 Figure 5: Coal seam, longwall face and sand layer layout .............................................................................. 12 Figure 6: Mining area development overview .................................................................................................. 16 Figure 7: Sequence of exploitation by floors (source PV) ............................................................................... 16 Figure 8: Drivage of gateway with roadheader; steel arches and wood lining ................................................ 17 Figure 9: Overview of the longwall face ........................................................................................................... 18 Figure 10: Subsidence prevision up to 2025 ................................................................................................... 18 Figure 11: The Coal mine Velenje concession area ........................................................................................ 19 Figure 12: Electric power transmission grid in Slovenia .................................................................................. 20 Figure 13 Cross section through the coal layer in the Šalek Valley ................................................................ 21 Figure 14 Plan view and Cross section of the subsidence restoration area ................................................... 22 Figure 15: Forecast of the lake development until 2025 (Source: PV, 2009) .................................................. 23 Figure 16: Protected groundwater areas and locations of potable water pumping stations ........................... 25 Figure 17: Chemical state of surface waters (source: ERICo, 2009) .............................................................. 30 Figure 18: Effluents to the Paka River (source: PV Invest, 2009) ................................................................... 32 Figure 19: Central Water Treatment Plant of the Šalek Valley........................................................................ 33 Figure 20: Vertical exchange of air below the subsidence inversion (source: Environmental Agency of RS) 37 Figure 21: Air flow in weather conditions with strong southern wind (source: Environmental Agency of RS) 37 Figure 22: Air flow in weather conditions with strong northern wind (source: Environmental Agency of RS) . 38 Figure 23: Noise measurement locations ........................................................................................................ 45 Figure 24: Nature protection areas (source: Atlas of Environment, 2009) ...................................................... 50 Figure 25: Cultural heritage (source: Register of Cultural heritage, http://giskd.situla.org/, 2009) ................. 51 Figure 26: A view of the Coal mine Velenje with coal pile and TEŠ in the background ................................. 53 Figure 27: Estimated emissions of sulphur dioxide in TPP in the period 2008 – 2050 ................................... 71 Figure 28: Estimated emissions of nitrogen oxides in TPP in the period 2008 – 2050 ................................... 75 Figure 29: Estimated emissions of dust in TPP in the period 2008 – 2050 ..................................................... 78 Figure 30: Estimated emissions of carbon monoxide in TPP in the period 2008 - 2050 ................................ 81 Figure 31: The flange at the injection well in Coal mine Velenje ..................................................................... 92 Figure 32: Part of the equipment for experiment of CO2 injection into geological formation pliocene ............ 92 Figure 33: CO2 system supply ......................................................................................................................... 93


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Introduction

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the ―EBRD‖ or the ―Bank‖) has been requested by Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant, a lignite fired power plant, to partially finance the modernization project of the Power Plant. The strategic plan for development of TEŠ comprises the replacement of Units 1-3 and part of unit 4 (which will remain as cold reserve) with a new 600 MWe unit, referred to as Unit 6, within the boundaries of the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant in Slovenia, and the modernization of the existing Unit 5.

The Šoštanj Thermal Power plant is unique, due to the operation of an underground lignite coal mine, which is also owned by HSE the largest Slovenian energy company. This mine is an associated facility to the project and therefore falls under the Bank‘s Environmental and Social Due Diligence requirements. Given that the new unit will replace the existing units, the mining operations are to remain the same and no new mines are to be developed and there will be no significant expansion of the existing mining operation. Nevertheless, the ESIA for the power plant needs to have adequate information on the planned mining operations.

In line with the Bank‘s Environmental and Social Policy (2008) the Project has been defined as the power plant and the associated facilities at the existing power plant (ash handling systems, cooling systems, etc) and lignite mine. The area of influence of the project includes operations of the Company and the associated mine. The project is an A level project for the Bank, requiring a full Environmental Social Impact Assessment (ESIA).

A Feasibility Study and Slovenian EIA are available for the new power plant unit. The Slovenian EIA focused on Unit 6 and existing operation at the power plant. A preliminary gap analysis has indicated that the Slovenian EIA needed to be supplemented with an EIA Addendum including social appraisal to ensure compliance with the Bank‘s requirements for such projects. In addition, limited information was available on operation of the mine, cumulative impacts, social issues, or public consultation.

Initial review of the documentation by the Bank, has identified a number of issues that needed to be further addressed, namely:

construction phase impacts of the plant associated infrastructure (transmission lines, etc),

identification and assessment of potential social impacts, including the development of required mitigation and monitoring measures,

identification and assessment of potential issues and impacts related with occupational health and safety, labor, including grievance procedures for employee and non-employee (contractor) workers, community health and emergency preparedness issues,

confirmation that the power plant and associated operations (including the mine) are designed to meet EU IPPC requirements for the sector,

assessment of alternatives and whether the project is carbon capture ready and is carbon capture feasible to implement in this area (i.e. top level review of geological conditions of the area to assess whether carbon storage is at all possible).

review of cumulative impacts from the power plant and mine taking consideration of the Project in its entirety as well as of the existing and planned operations at the power plant and with assessment of any benefits associated with operating the new unit plant in terms of emissions and carbon reduction.

An overview of existing EIA Report for construction and operation of Unit 6 in TPP Šoštanj, Ref. no. 1973 (EIMV, July 2009) is shown in table 1.


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Table 1: Overview of existing EIA Report for construction and operation of Unit 6 in TPP Šoštanj, Ref. no. 1973 (EIMV, July 2009)

x described * with mitigation measures O necessary Ø not necessary

Based on the gap analysis, the present Environmental and Impact Assessment addendum has

been developed including the mentioned issues, as well as the environmental and social

impacts associated with the power plant and the mine operations.

The EIA addendum reviews and addresses environmental and social impacts in compliance

with the EBRD‘s PR‘s.


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1. Location

The Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant (TEŠ) and the Coal Mine Velenje (PV) are located in Šaleška Valley in the north-eastern part of Slovenija. The studied area lies within two municipalities: Municipality of Šoštanj and Municipality of Velenje.

Figure 1: Aerial view of Šalek Valley (Source: Geopedia 2009)

The central part of the studied area is represented by the River Paka catchment area between the eastern branch of Savinja Alps, foothills of Karavanke and the western parts of Paški Kozjak.

The Šaleška valley can be classified geologically as a tectonic depression that had been sinking between the Šoštanj, Velenje and Smrekovec faults. The valley was shaped to its current dimensions by sinking and simultaneous accretion of sediments, part of the mass locked in it being the coal seam.


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2. Project description

2.1 Thermal power plant Šoštanj (TEŠ) and planned Unit 6

The in depth description of the Thermal power plant Šoštanj and the planned Unit 6 is given in the existing EIA Report for construction and operation of Unit 6 in TPP Šoštanj, Ref. no. 1973 (EIMV, July 2009), Chapter 3.

2.2 Coal mine Velenje (PV)

Velenje Coal Mine is one of the largest mine site in Europe; it is located in the Šaleška Valley in the north part of Slovenia, close to the town of Velenje; the coal basin covers an area of about 21 km2.The mine has been operating for 130 years and so far more than 200 million tons of lignite has been yielded. The lignite is entirely supplied to the nearby Thermal Power Plant of Šoštanj (TEŠ), with a production of approximately 4.0 million ton of coal/year.

The mine layout can be resumed as follows:

1. access entries from the surface through vertical shafts (two for personnel access and fresh air intake, two for forced exhaust air return), and two dipping drifts used for coal transport from underground to the surface by conveyor belts;

2. two underground structure roadways (for fresh air intake and for air return); the roadways are also used for coal transport by conveyor belts, personnel and supplies transportation, and for the transport of technological installations (power cables, industrial and exhaust water pipes, etc.);

3. two gateways to access to working sections; the average daily advance of the new-built gateway depends on several parameters and it ranges from 5 m to 6 m per day. Gateways cumulative coal average daily production is between 350 and 800 tons;

4. Longwall panels.

Galleries, shafts stations, pumping stations and the other ancillary facilities are also part of the mine layout. Galleries cross section varies, according the planned life and the utilization, from 16 m2 up to 20 m2; underground drifts are used to link the different production levels.

2.2.1 Underground facilities

The Coal mine Velenje underground facilities are at top level from the technological point of view.

The material needed for mining is transported to the mine through the main shaft; mine transport is organized by classic mine rail transport and with hanging rail transport (monorail) used for long transportations and movements in not-horizontal parts of the mine.

Main facilities present in the coal mine are:

Conveyor belts transporting the coal from the face up to the surface; the conveyors are installed in dedicated roadways having an overall capacity of 25,000 tons/day;

Suspended monorail for equipment and supplies transportation; Car rail system for material transportation; Chair lift for miners movement between different levels; Ventilation fans with total flow capacity 27,000 m3/min; Pumping stations for water drainage, with an overall capacity of 0.6 m3/ton of coal.


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Figure 2: Conveyor belt equipped roadway

Figure 3: Suspended monorail

Figure 4: Chair lift for miners transport

The daily advance of the face, depending by the mining conditions, is comprised between 4.0 and 5.50 m per day, with a production rate between 5,000 and 11,000 ton/day per face; presently, the Coal mine Velenje is operating with two long-wall faces located in two of the three parts of the exploitable area.

Average daily production from long-wall faces is in the order of 18,000 tons per day, with an average calorific value of 10–12 MJ/kg (lignite). Daily advance and production strongly depend


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on project planning and mining, geological and geotechnical parameters. Production from one long-wall face can be at maximum equal to 16,800 ton/day.

2.2.2 Coal Basin Geology

The Velenje coal deposit is located in the early Pliocene formations of the Šaleška Valley; it has an almond shape in plan with its main strike along E-W axis, for an extension of 8.3 km, while the minor axis reaches 2.5 km.1

The deposit in the western part overlays the Oligocene formations, while in the eastern part is in contact with Triassic formations; the north and south part of the basin are limited respectively by the Velenje Fault and Šoštanj Fault. The deepest part of the deposit has an elevation approximately of -140 m below sea level, having the surface elevation, in average, at 360 m above the sea level. The coal deposit is made by a unique seam reaching 160 m of total thickness, with very minor contents of rock partings.

Figure 5: Coal seam, longwall face and sand layer layout

As represented in the figure 52, a clay layer above the coal seam is present, which allows digging out the coal under the sand and water storage, without any inlet of the upper water. The layer between coal seam and the first sand layer is called protective layer.

The coal seam with its overburden and floor strata has been investigated with over 600 surface boreholes (total length of 200 km) and 1500 mine structure boreholes. As an example of obtained data, the survey papers of borehole P-3nt/02 was given3. The Borehole P-3nt/02 has

1 Source Premogovnik Velenje Company Presentation

2 In the figure 5, a characteristic geological profile for the part of the mining area is shown. In the other

areas there are different geological parameters, without water saturated sandy strata in overburden. 3 Source: HGEM d.o.o. Porocilo o izdelavi piezometrične vrtine ; Ivan Supovec, hidrogeolog; Ljubljana,

junij, 2004; (trans.M.Boaretto)


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been drilled for piezometric purposes; part of it has been drilled full face (logging the chips) and part has been fully cored up to the final depth of 440 m.

The log clearly shows the coal basin characteristics; it can be basically divided into horizons from the surface:

1. Highly permeable water bearing formation made of mud, silty sands and sands; 2. Impermeable clay strata, insulating the coal seam from the water bearing formations, acting

as strong and reliable water barrier; 3. Coal seam; 4. The Triassic Dolomite bedrock; the coal seam and the Triassic dolomite bedrock are divided

by several coal-clay, clay and sandy-clay strata with thickness variating from 30 to 150 meters.

Geo-mechanical characteristics are very important in order to verify reliability of the mine to supply fuel to the Power Plant; geomechanical characteristics influence the choice of exploitation methods and the approach to manage environmental impacts at the surface.

In the table below main geomechanical parameters are quoted; values have been surveyed during geotechnical investigations.

Basic geo-mechanical data4

PARAMETER / MATERIAL

[kN/m3]

w [%]

- tl [Mpa]

- n [MPa]

E [Mpa]

[/]

C [Mpa]

[o]

HANGING WALL 20.9 24.4 0.85 0.08 140 0.35 0.4 15

DIRECT ROOF

(Clay) 19.2 32.6 2.50 0.23 430 0.20 0.7 17

COAL (0 - 0.5) 12.6 39.0 8.40 0.92 480 0.25 0.7 30

COAL (0.5 - 1) 13.6 35.0 5.40 0.59 480 0.30 0.7 30

HIGH ASH COAL 17.7 25.6 1.60 0.17 375 0.35 - -

FLOOR 23.6 10.0 4.90 0.44 2917 0.30 1.4 21

Where:

: Density ; W: Moisture;

-tl: Uniaxial compressive strength;

-n : Tensile strength; E: Young modulus;

: Poisson ratio; c: Cohesion; : Friction angle. The presence of a water bearing strata above the coal measures and the presence of a clay layer immediately above the coal seam could be a critical aspect due to the risk of having water infiltrations into the mine works.

However, further geotechnical investigations have been carried out:

4 Premogovnik Velenje Coal Mine: Power Point Presentation


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1. UPPER LAYER Diluvial layers Odel, slope gravel Opob

Southern part GM, GC, SM,Cl, CL/Ml, Cl-CH

1.1. Loose rock – gravel 0.0 -13.0 m

Volume weight 18.50 kN/m3

Shear strength Cohesion Angle of internal friction

22.00 kN/m2

φ =28-34°

Module of elasticity 66,000 – 100,000 kN/m2

Coefficient of permeability 5x10-6

1.2. Solid bedrock 0.0 -7.0 m

Volume weight y= 19.0 – 20.0 kN/m3


c= 0.00-26.00 kN/m2

φ =24-31°

Module of elasticity E= 1,350– 100,000 kN/m2

Module of compressibility Ms=127012-7000200 kN/m2

Coefficient of permeability k= 1x10-8 m/s

2. LOWER LAYER Oligocene marl clay, marl-claystone, tuff sandstone

2.1. Silty marl clay >7.0 m

Volume weight y= 22.0 kN/m3

Axial pressure strength qu=160-820 kN/m2


c= 0.00-23.00 kN/m2

φ =31-40°

Module of elasticity E= 200,000 – 400,000 kN/m2


2.2. Silty marl clay >3.0 m

Volume weight y= 25.0 kN/m3

Axial pressure strength qu=650-27,000 kN/m2

Module of elasticity E= 100,000 – 900,000 kN/m2

GSI 10-15 c= 2-7 kN/m

2

φ =11-25°

GSI 25-30 c= 5-13 kN/m

2

φ =18-31°


2.3 Tuff and tuffitic sandstone >5.0 m

Axial pressure strength qu=30,000-88,000 kN/m2

Module of elasticity E= 2,000,000 kN/m2

GSI 25 -30 c= 16-32 kN/m

2

φ =37.0-50.00


As reported in the table, the coal has a good brittle characteristic that allows a good roof control during coal winning; moreover the clay hanging wall has a pretty plastic behavior allowing considerable clay deformation without risk of breakages.

Therefore the roof follows and lies down on the mined out caved area maintaining the overall characteristics, particularly the very low coefficient of permeability K (10-8–10-10 m/sec5).

5 Source: Geoinţeniring d.o.o. and the Institute of Construction of Slovenia: "REPORT ON FURTHER

EXAMINATIONS SLOPES FOR COOLING TOWER " in July 2008 and University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Institute of structures, Earthquake Engineering and Computer Science "EARTHQUAKE DESIGN PARAMETERS FOR STRUCTURES OF UNIT 6 OF TPP ŠOŠTANJ" in July 2007.


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Moreover, behaviour of hanging wall strata are studied and predicted by means of numerical models developed by the geotechnical department of the Coal mine Velenje; the reliability of the numerical models applied has been tested by geotechnical measurements carried out both in the surface and underground.

According to numerical models, the risk of water rush into the mine openings is very low and the prediction models fulfill the geotechnical records.

As reviewed during the site visit and according to supplied information, no particular problems can be foreseen regarding underground flood risks.

2.2.3 Hydrogeology

The coal measures are dry strata; the clay cap prevents any water rush into the mine works; nevertheless in the past years several water shafts were drilled in order to lower the water table in the upper sand formation and the carbonatic tertiary formation.

The water piezometric level is continuously monitored by means of many boreholes equipped with piezometers, whose data are recorded; many monitoring boreholes have been drilled in the new development areas of the mine in order to monitor underground water level below the coal.

Water flow measurements in 2008 show a total average of 262.4 l/min of drained water from temporary drainage wells, built from preparation workings (year 2008)6. After the long-wall advance, those drainage wells are destroyed and no longer in operation. The total inflow of drained water (from roof sands and floor carbonate strata) has an average of 1,748.4 l/min.

The old system of water drainage comprises wells draining sand water passing through the clay cap, linked with the pumping station rooms inside the mine.

The ―old system for water drainage‖ operation time will be strongly dependant on mining activities. These facilities tend to be in use as long as possible. In the future they will be replaced by temporary drainage wells, built from mine gateways.

Overall average flow of the western water pumping station in 2008 was 3,188.6 l/min; total flow is made up of water extracted by the wells and industrial water used for mining operations.

2.2.4 Mining Method

Currently, mining operations are located in south western areas, near the town of Šoštanj, adjacent to and below Lakes Velenje and Druţmirje; the mining operations cover a surface of 1,104.00 hectares.

The Velenje mining method is very peculiar because of the huge coal seam thickness and the specific coal mechanical characteristics (good brittle characteristic of the coal). The method consists of a subdivision of the coal seam in several layers, having a height manageable with the standard longwall equipment.

The following pictures show mining works projected to surface and the mining method.

6 Source: Premogovnik Velenje Hidrogeolosko Porocilo za leto 2008


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Figure 6: Mining area development overview

Figure 7: Sequence of exploitation by floors (source PV)

Production faces are excavated by two parallel gateways at a distance of 200 m, linked together by a cross roadway that will be the face of the longwall panel. The coal winning is carried out in retreating way towards structure galleries and the two gateways are destroyed by longwall face advancing.

Due to the particular geomechanical conditions of coal mass inducing heavy pressure on the openings, heavy steel supports and arches are installed.


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Figure 8: Drivage of gateway with roadheader; steel arches and wood lining

The longwall face is divided into the upper and lower excavation sections: the lower one is mined using the normal coal winning equipment for a height of 4.0 m, while the upper excavation section, reaching up to 12 m and being stressed by dynamic pressure, crushes as soon as shields props are retreated. The lowering of the front canopy allows the crushed coal above the face to drop into the panzer conveyor.

As soon as the longwall advances, behind the shields, upper strata collapse and fill the gob.

Where the seam is thicker, the highest levels are mined first; the excavation at upper level doesn‘t affect the lower underlying coal, while the advance from hanging wall towards the footwall doesn‘t give problem in order to realize the works at the lower levels.

The longwall face height depends by the clay thickness as the clay layer has the function of protecting the face from water and sand infiltrations into the mine works.

The longwall equipment is basically made by three major elements:

the hydraulic shields support; the shearer; the panzer conveyor.

Advancing in the underground is carried out by the coordinated movement of the hydraulic props and panzer conveyor, keeping safe the longwall face; miners are always protected by the shields canopies and legs.

In the Figure 9 underground longwall face and equipment are represented.

Where:

1: the hydraulic props shields; 2: drum shearer, which cut the coal by the rotation of the drums; 3: panzer chain conveyor, which hauls the coal in the conveyors belt system of the mine up

to the surface.

At the end of the chain conveyor, a hammer crusher reduces the size of the large pieces of coal, in order to make their haulage easy.


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Figure 9: Overview of the longwall face

2.2.5 Subsidence and Surface Effects

The underground mining is very likely to induce subsidence of the original ground surface. The subsidence is the phenomenon occurring when a seam or an ore body is mined out and the overlaying strata of overburden are not able to self support, and collapse in the caved mine.

The slow settlement of the overburden strata in Velenje is strictly related to the following factors: Plastic behaviour of the overburden; Geo-mechanical features of the clay roof that follows the excavation with plastic movement

without breakage; the clay therefore insulates and protects the coal seam from the water in rush.

The result of subsidence effects at Velenje area is the formation of the three lakes.

Figure 10: Subsidence prevision up to 2025

In the picture above, developed by the Geotechnical Department of Premogovnik Velenje by an accurate modeling of overburden behavior, the extension of the subsidence area as the mining works will develop until year 2025 is shown; in the next years, water surface is going to increase, particularly expanding the operations northwards.


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The subsidence cannot be avoided using the present coal exploitation method because the method itself cannot permit any remaining coal pillar to sustain the overburden; by the other hand, the overburden characteristics are not suitable to be mechanically sustained and the reduced coal recovery could not make profitable the mining operations.

In order to prevent any claim by possible land owners, Premogovnik Velenje purchased the land involved by subsidence events, allowing in mean time the land to be used for agricultural purposes.

Figure 11: The Coal mine Velenje concession area

2.3 Transmission lines

The transmission system operator Elektro Slovenije l.t.d. (ELES) provides transmission capacity between the TEŠ and transformer station RTP Šoštanj 400/220/110 kV, which represents the main point of inclusion of the production units into the electric power transmission grid.

Transmission facilities for TEŠ consist of the following transmission lines:

- DV 110 kV Šoštanj - Podlog I, - DV 110 kV Šoštanj Podlog II, - DV 220 kV Šoštanj - Podlog, - DV 400 kV Šoštanj - Podlog.


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Figure 12: Electric power transmission grid in Slovenia

In addition to these the evacuation of energy generated is possible via transmission lines DV 2x110 kV Šoštanj - Velenje and DV 110 kV Šoštanj - Mozirje. Capacity of transmission lines connecting TEŠ to the transmission grid and the current total production capacity of the units are presented in the following table:

Table 2: Capacity of transmission lines connecting TEŠ to the transmission grid and the current total production capacity of the TEŠ units

Thermal transmission capacity Current units production capacity

110 kV voltage level 600 MW 200 MW

220 kV voltage level 373 MW 275 MW

400 kV voltage level 1.350 MW 345 MW

Given the dynamics of stopping of the production in units 1, 3 and 4 a network transmission capacity of 105 MW at a 110 kV voltage level and of 275 MW at the 220 kV level will be released.

The transfer capacity already built allows for the evacuation of all of the planned electricity production from the location of TPP Šoštanj.

A reconstruction of the existing DV 220 kV Šoštanj - Podlog transmission line to a 400 kV line is planned, but it is not a part of this project. The 220 kV transmission grid in Slovenia is to be abandoned in the future. The planned intervention is a rational technical solution to meet the requirements set out in Annex IV, of the System operation instructions for the electricity transmission network (Official Gazette RS, No. 49/07). The reconstruction represents a rational solution from a viewpoint of environmental and space requirements also.


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3. Environmental and Social impact assessment

3.1 Geomorphologic and geologic characteristics

3.1.1 Present situation

Geology

A little less than a third of the lake area surface is composed of relatively soft, rough clastic sediments which are fairly evenly widespread. Less than one third of the land consists of harder and impermeable metamorphic rocks, which are concentrated in Velunje trench or Lake Druţmirje area. Carbonate rocks and flysch compose one fifth of all lake area surface. The valley bottom is composed of sandy-clayey sediments. Igneous rocks and their tuffs compose mainly Velunje trench, while the youngest deposits of streams are only the narrow surrounding bands, only the Druţmirje field is quite extensive. The key characteristic of geological composition is that the elevated parts of the lake area, or the valley circumference, are composed of older and more erosion-resistant rock. The valley bottom is composed of recent soft and loose sediments, which are more sensitive to human intervention and subsequent denudation and erosion.

The coal seam under the Šaleška Valley is 8.3 km long and up to 2.5 km wide, at depth between 200 m and 500 m. Its average thickness is 60 m, with maximum values reaching up to 170 m. The coal called lignite is relatively young. The origin of Velenje lignite coal dates back to the period of late Tertiary, early Pliocene, 2.5 million years ago.

Figure 13 Cross section through the coal layer in the Šaleška Valley

Relief

The Šaleška valley is relatively flat and wide, which in the north passes into the gorge and to which tributaries of the Paka River connect. The valley is surrounded with lower rolling hills, which rather quickly pass into the hills. The hilly area has an average altitude of about 600 m, individual peaks reach to 1000 m.

The Šaleška valley has been shaped to its current form by sinking and simultaneous accretion of sediments. The water flooding the Tertiary depression has deposited thick lake sediments rich in lignite.

Mining has caused many negative effects on relief in the area: - subsidence of the area and creation of lakes; - changes in the relief of the sunken area in the Šaleška Valley;


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- cracked ground surface, consecutive breaks, ground is subsiding up to 12 m (trenches up to 10 m deep); ground is subsiding for 15 to 20 years after the excavation;

Because the valley bottom slopes from the Šaleška in the east toward Šoštanj in the west the lakes are of different altitude. Highest, at an altitude of 372 m, lies Lake Škale, about 6 m lower is Lake Velenje, and Lake Druţmirje is a further six meters lower (360 m). An active restoration of subsidence area between Lake Druţmirje and Lake Velenje is carried out by the Coal mine Velenje. Subsidence is constantly backfilled with stabilisat - a product of TEŠ. Subsidence back filling is important because, simultaneously the mounds maintain the barrier between Lake Velenje and Lake Druţmirje and maintain cross-link across the vally bottom and thus support the northern and southern outskirts of the valley.

Figure 14 Plan view and Cross section of the subsidence restoration area

3.1.2 Environmental impact

The location for the construction of Unit 6 of the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant is situated in the direct vicinity of other provincial units (a hill and a river), which is why this intervention into


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space must be planned with care not to trigger other influence factors that might affect the stability. Because of the excavations, the geological substratum will be relieved during construction.

From the viewpoint of geological substratum treatment the treated area is not threatened by landslides if the necessary precautions are taken, which is why the impacts on both of these segments have been evaluated as small. During the operation, no negative effects on the geological substratum are anticipated if the mitigation measures are taken.

The exploitation of the coal in the Coal mine Velenje will cause further subsidence in the lake area. According to the plans of Velenje Coal mine Lake Druţmirje will in 2020 cover close to 170 hectares and become by the surface and the amount of water the largest lake in the Šaleška Valley. Subsidence will somewhat slow down in relation to decrease of coal production that is planned after the year 2020. Forecasted subsidence and lake development is shown on the figure below.

Figure 15: Forecast of the lake development until 2025 (Source: PV, 2009)

The backfilling of subsidence area between Lake Druţmirje and Lake Velenje will continue in the future and will prevent the lakes to merge into one.

3.1.3 Mitigation measures

During construction and operation of Unit 6 as described in the EIA Report for construction and

operation of Unit 6 in TPP Šoštanj, Ref. no. 1973 (EIMV, July 2009), Chapter 4.1.6.

Restoration of subsidence area between Lake Druţmirje and Lake Velenje is an important

mitigation measure in itself and should be continued.


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3.1.4 Monitoring

During construction and operation of Unit 6 as described in the EIA Report for construction and

operation of Unit 6 in TPP Šoštanj, Ref. no. 1973 (EIMV, July 2009), Chapter 4.1.7.

Monitoring of subsidence in the coal exploitation area should continue as it is at present. PV

provides monitoring of total exploitation area: measurements of surface movement at approx.

400 measuring points.

3.2 Groundwater


Sedimentary cover of the Šaleška Valley is largely composed Plio-Quarternary aquifer systems with semi-permeable and impermeable layers, impermeable are found especially in its central part. The stack of Plio-Quarternary layers is divided by the coal layer into the hanging-wall layer and the footwall layer (Brezigar et al. 1987). Vertically two separate aquifer systems exist, each with different impact of drainage in the mine on the decrease of groundwater level and different hydro-geochemistry. The above system called Quaternary does not have a strong impact of drainage on groundwater levels. The underlying aquifer system called Pliocenic shows significant effects of drainage on groundwater levels (Flis et al. 2005).

Hydro-geological Service of Velenje Coal mine is monitoring Šaleška Valley groundwater levels by 60 shallow piezometers and the same number of deep piezometers. The piezometers are located in the exploitation area and outside as well. Outside excavation area the piezometers are located in settlements Pesje, Klasirnica, between TES and Lake Druţmirje, and in the town of Šoštanj. According to the hydro-geological services of Velenje Coal mine the analysis of hydro-geological parameters of Pliocene aquifer system shows that the permeability coefficients are k = 3.9 x 10 m/s-7 (Flis et al. 2005).

Results of measurements show7 that the state of groundwater hydrology is mostly affected by rainfall in each annual period and, consequently, by the water levels in Lake Velenje, Lake Druţmirje and the Paka River itself. In dry months, when levels of groundwater are low, the water from the lake flows in permeable sand layers and vice versa. In this way, the levels of groundwater in part react to a change in the levels of lakes, because the fluctuations in lake levels lead to changes in piezometric levels. Along the river flow the ground water only relates to narrow band along the river and its tributaries. In this area there are no significant fluctuations of groundwater. Maximum variations are noticed in the dry periods (from 0.5 m to 0.6 m). The average groundwater level in the area of Šoštanj is generally at a depth of 2.0 m to 2.5 m below the ground level (Flis et al. 2005). The general flow of groundwater is from the east to the west which is at the same time the direction of the Paka River flow.

7 Water levels in shallow piezometers are dependant on rainfall water and annual periods, but on the

other hand, deep piezometers do not show such dependence.


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Groundwater in the studied area is not a source of drinking water supply for residents in the municipalities of Šoštanj and Velenje. In the years 2001, 2002, 2003, ERICo Velenje carried out the regular annual monitoring - measurements of heavy metal content in groundwater on four locations in the area Šalekška Valley. According to studies based on comparison of heavy metals in the industrial (Šaleška Valley) and volcanic (Etna) environment and statistical analysis, it was determined that groundwater in the Šalekška Valley is generally not contaminated with heavy metals (Giammanco et al. 2008).

Table 3: Average content of heavy metals As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se, V and Zn in Šaleška Valley groundwater (Justin 2005)

Average content (μg/l)

As Cd Cu Hg Pb Se V Zn

Groundwater <0,78 <0,76 3,2 <0,5 1,4 <0,5 <0,7 -

Data source: ERICo Velenje Laboratory

Figure 16: Protected groundwater areas and locations of potable water pumping stations


From the viewpoint of anthropogenous pollution of groundwater at the studied area, groundwater is important only in the hanging-wall layer. The footwall layer is protected with waterproof layers of clay and coal. The groundwater in the area is not a source of potable water for the inhabitants of the municipalities of Šoštanj and Velenje. However, in the municipality of Šmartno ob Paki, groundwater is a source of potable water. There are no water sources or water protection areas in the direct vicinity of the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant and Velenje Coal mine that could be directly affected by the activity of the Thermal Power Plant or the mine. The


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impacts on the groundwater will be moderate during the construction of Unit 6, if mitigation measures are taken.

The effect of the operation of Unit 6 on the groundwater will be small, if mitigation measures are taken.

The operation of the mine will remain within the frame of activities carried out today, so no additional impact on groundwater is foreseen. The potential impact on the ground water quality is connected with the water quality in the lakes and in the Paka River. The proposed remediation of wastewater discharge to the Paka River (effluent 2) will improve water quality in the river and will have an indirect positive impact on the groundwater quality.


During construction and operation of Unit 6 as described in the EIA Report for construction and operation of Unit 6 in TPP Šoštanj, Ref. no. 1973 (EIMV, July 2009), Chapter 4.2.2.6.

Remediation of Coal mine Velenje waste rainfall water collection and treatment system connected to effluent no. 2 to the Paka River.

General measures of water pollution prevention in the area (municipal level mitigation measures).

3.2.4 Monitoring

Monitoring of groundwater is described in section 4.2.2.7 of EIA Report for construction and operation of Unit 6 in TPP Šoštanj, Ref. no. 1973 (EIMV, July 2009)

Beside the environmental monitoring program, no additional monitoring of groundwater is necessary during the construction. No additional groundwater monitoring is necessary during the operation of Unit 6, if there are no changes in the ambient air or soil.

3.3 Surface waters


Rivers and streams

The Paka River is characterized by large flow fluctuations. The lowest flows in Šoštanj are even lower than 0.2 m3/s, the maximum flow is up to 100 m3/s, the mean flow is 2.6 m3/s. Regarding the level of pollution the Paka River in Šoštanj is in the II-III. quality class. The streams Velunja, Sopota and Lepena used to be right tributaries of the Paka River but now they flow through lakes. Lepena flows through the Lake Škale, Sopota through the Lake Velenje and Velunja through the Lake Druţmirje. Lakes

The first among the Šaleška lakes was Lake Škale that started to emerge before the World War II, but it was just after the war still about half the size of today's lake. Its form is final, because the lignite mining in this part of the valley has already been completed. As a result of the initial, less intense period of the coal industry in the Šaleška Valley, it is the smallest among the three lakes (measures 16 hectares and contains less than one million cubic meters of water). Lake


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Škale lies in the catchment of Lepena. The main axis of the lake is east-west, the relationship between length and width is about 2.3: 1. The lake catchment area is the size of about 10 km2 and is mostly forested. More than a third of the ground (37 %) is agricultural, and it‘s inhabited by about a thousand inhabitants. The relationship between catchment area and the lake is not favorable, because the lake surface area is too small compared to the catchment area. But the lake water balance is suitable, because it's calculated that the lake water in theory can be replaced more than five times a year. If adding the lake inflow, we find that around 5.4 million liters of water flows into the lake annually. The mean annual flow of Lepena into Lake Škale is based on data from the Hydro-meteorological Institute (HMZ) for the period 1980-91 is calculated at 3,721,248 m3. Other smaller tributaries contribute to the lake between 10 and 30 % of Lepena flow (about 700,000 m3 according to measurements in the years 1993 and 1994). There used to be an annual average of 800,000 m3 water pumped from the mine into the lake, which was technological water, but of rather good quality. Rainfall directly to the lake surface contributes more than 200,000 m3 of water. According to the HMZ (period 1979-1997) average annual evaporation from the lake surface is 944 l/m2 (potential evaporation), which in the case of Lake Škale represents almost 158,000 m3 per year.

Lake Velenje with surface close to 1.4 km2 and a volume of 30.5 million m3 is the largest in the valley and among the largest lakes in Slovenia. Its catchment area comprises of more than 20 km2 and is inhabited with about 1500 inhabitants. The lake is 1.4 km long and 1.3 km wide. With the depth of 54 m it is deeper than Lake Bled (31 m) and Lake Bohinj (45 m) and on the surface it is practically the same size as Lake Bled. It contains over two million cubic meters of water. The lake shore is not much divided, so the lake is of almost regular rectangular shape, its circumference is more than 5 km. Most of the shoreline is already partially or totally stable, because the intensive coal extraction takes place just below the west shore, where subsidence is constantly backfilled with produscts of TEŠ. The fly ash as a by-product of burning coal in TEŠ was in the past the main reason for pollution of Lake Velenje.

Lake Velenje has two tributaries: Lepena, which previously flows through Lake Škale and Sopota. Its rainfall background measures 20.4 km2. More than half is accounted for by the Lake Škale catchment, while the catchment of Sopota, which is the direct hinterland of the Velenje lake, only a little over 7.5 km2. The remaining part of the catchment is the lake shore. Lepena annually contributes 5.2 million m3 of water, Sopota 3.6 million m3 (1980-1991, HMZ), and precipitation on the lake surface 1.6 million m3 (1961-1990, HMZ). If we use the drainage coefficient 0.48 in the subsidence catchment area, almost 0.8 million m3 of additional water flows in from the surface of 1.3 km2 per year. Thus, over 11 million m3 of water flows into the lake annually, but this is not much compared to the lake volume, as lake water is in theory replaced only once in a little less than three years. Excluding the evaporation, the annual flow into the Paka River is 10 million m3 of water.

Lake Družmirje in the middle of the field of the same name has occured later. It begun to emerge in 1975, and in 2005 occupied more than 63 ha and contained nearly 15.3 million m3 of water. It has the largest catchment area (over 30 km2). Velunja, which is beside rainfall the sole source of water has sufficient flow (even with the drought of 1993 it had a flow of 80 l/s still) that the water in the lake theoretically changes two to six times a year, but its quality used to be questionable. Because there is a larger settlement (Gaberke) with intensive agriculture upstream, there is a danger that the lake could deteriorate. Precipitation and Velunja contribute annually an average of 24.5 million m3 of water to the lake. Excluding the evaporation should an average of 24 million m3 of water from Velunje should flow to the Paka River, but much less does. The reason for the substantially altered natural balance of inflow, besides increasing lake volume and, consequently, more evaporation, is mostly the fact that Lake Druţmirje (especially at low flow of the Paka River) is the main source of industrial water for TEŠ.

Lake Druţmirje has two hollows. The one in the west is smaller and shallower (depth less than 5 m) than the larger central basin with two deepenings. The main lake basin lies in the east-west


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direction and has a similar elongated form as Lake Škale basin. The ratio between maximum length and width is 2.2:1. The shore is slightly more sinuous than the Velenje lake shore and its circumference is 3.4 km.

Table 4: Lake Družmirje development in years 2000-2008 (source: PV, 2009)

DATE Lake elevation (m)

Lake surface (m2)

Lake volume (m3)

Lake average depth (m)

Lake max. depth (m)

July 2000 360.384 519,943 10,847,921 20.86 69.12

July 2001 359.782 530,691 11,373,965 21.43 71.54

July 2002 359.305 538,115 12,297,656 22.85 73.86

Avgust 2003 358.881 558,923 12,447,980 22.27 72.84

Avgust 2004 360.020 590,306 13,687,987 23.18 78.00

Avgust 2005 361.060 630,606 15,332,426 24.31 81.31

Avgust 2006 360.230 646,328 16,144,156 24.98 81.88

Avgust 2007 360.150 649,958 16,941,804 26.06 84.51

Avgust 2008 360.150 689,422 17,887,032 25.94 85.44

Water quality

The lakes in the Šaleška valley are in the Slovenian scale one of the few whose catchment area has the well-regulated sewer system. In part of the Škale Lake cachment area (Škale, Hrastovec) a sewage system was built in 1993, in 2001 began to operate sewage in the Sopota basin, and in 2003 in Lake Druţmirje catchment area (Gaberke). Most municipal waste water is collected and taken to the Central waste water treatment plant in Šoštanj.

Monitoring of watercourses in Šaleška Valley in the Velenje Coal Mine influence area Report for the year 2008 showed that the chemical state of the Paka River is good.

Table 5: Results of physical-chemical anayses of the Paka River, 29 - 05 – 2008 (source: ERICo, 2009)

Parameter Unit Pesje Upstream from TES

Lepena upstream from Lake

Škale

Sopota upstream from Lake

Velenje

Velunja upstream from Lake Družmirje

Limit value

Suspended matter

Turbidity

mg/1

F T U

3

1

1 2 1

5

4

27

4

5

2

pH 8.7 8.8 8.7 8.6 8.5

Oxygen Saturation % 130 132 100 93 90 Oxygen conc. mg/I 13.4 12.1 8.8 8.8 8.4 Temperature °C 16,0 17.2 19.3 17.6 16,3

Spec. Electric conductivity

μs/cm 412 494 482 497 331 Total hardness d 13,1 13.5 13.8 14.2 9.75

carbonate hardness

LI 12.1 10,0 9.9 9.8 8.6 magnesium hardness

d 4.43 4.39 5.03 4.39 3,51 Calcium hardness

trdota (1 8.65 9.08 8.75 9.79 6.24

CODd mg 02/1 6 14 18 20 21 BOD5 mg 02/1 <3 <3 <3 <3

Ammonium mg/I 0.15 0.17 0.12 021 0.18 Chloride mg/l 16.8 18.1 11.4 10.5 5.92 Flouride mg/l < 1.0 < 1.0 < 1.0 < 1.0 < 1.0

Silicon dioxide mg/l 4,6 4.1 8.3 4.4 6.8


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Škale


Velenje


Limit value

Nitrate mg/I 3.86 3.72 5A5 5.42 4.34 25 Nitrate Nitrogen mg N/I 0.88 0.85 1.24 1.23 0.99

Nitrite ma/1 < 1.0 < 1.0 < 1,0 < 1.0 < 1.0 Nitrite Nitrogen mg N/I < 0.3 < 0,3 < 0.3 < 0.3 < 0,3

Kjeldahl Nitrogen mg N/l < 1,0 < 1,0 < 1.0 < 1.0 < 1.0 Total Nitrogen mg N/l < 2.0 < 2.0 <1,0 <1.0 < '1,0

TOC mgC/I 2.69 2.16 14.3 10.4 8.69 AOX μ Cl/I 12 10 < I0 < 10 < 10 20

SEC μs/cm 412 494 482 497 331

Phosphate mg/l < 1.0 < 1.0 < 1,0 < 1.0 < 1.0 Total Phosphorus mg/l 0.078 0.054 0.062 0.064 0.048

Sulphate mg/l 15.6 57.9 22.2_ 21.0 27.4 150 Copper μg/l 1.3 1.2 1.7 1.3 1,1 5

Zinc μg/I 17.8 11,9 33.0 3.7 5.8 100

Cadmium μg/I < 0.5 < 0,3 < 0.5 < 0,5 < 0.5 1

Chrome μg/I < 5,0 < 5.0 < 5.0 < 5.0 < 5.0 10

Mercury μg/I 0,22 0.21 < 0.20 < 0.20 0.21 1

Nickel μg/I

μg/I

= 1.0 < 1.0 < 1.0 < 1.0 < 1.0 10

Lead <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 10 pH ,temperature, Oxygen saturation and concentration measurements were done on site.

Table 6: Results of physical- chemical research river edimenrt samples of the Paka River: 05-12-2008 (source: ERICo, 2009)

Parameter Unit Pesje Upstream from

TES


Škale


Velenje


Copper mg/kg d.m.

17.9 22.3 14.9 16.8 19.9 Zinc mg/kg

d.m.. 82.9 72.9 90.7 80.9 89.3

Cadmium mg/kg d.m.

0.38 0.14 0.43 0.40 0.22 Chrome mg/kg

d.m. 33.8 37.4 16.1 36.2 51.2

Mercury mg/kg d.m.

< 0.10 < 0.10 < 0.10 < 0.10 < 0.10 Nickel mg/kg

d.m. 23.5 19.3 14.4 17.7 29.3

Lead mg/kg d.m.

38.5 32.3 20.9 21.4 28.7

Table 7: Annual average value of pararneters on sample locations Pesje and upstream from TEŠ, and momentary values in tributaries - year 2008 (source: ERICo, 2009)



Škale


Velenje


Limit value

Nickel μg/I 0.894 0.719 0.425 0.425 0.425 10

Lead μg/I 0.175 0,175 0.175 0.175 0,175 10

Zinc μg/I 7.59 6.1 33 3.7 5,8 100

Chrome μg/I 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 10

Cadmium μg/I 0.065 0.065 0.065 0.065 0.065 1

Mercury μg/I 0.062 0.06 0.01 0.01 0.21 1


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Škale


Velenje


Limit value

Copper μg/I 0.85 0.815 1.7 1.3 1.2 5

Nitrate mg/I 4.26 3.78 5.45 5.42 4.34 25 Sulfate mg/I 19.5 135.7 22.2

_......... 21 27.4 150

AOX mg Cl/l 7.95 13 1.4 1.4 2.4 20

Total estimation good good good good good

MVK – limit value of parameter of chemical state from Annex I (Decree on Chemical State of Surface Waters, Official Gazette RS, No. 11/02)

*For Lepena, Sopota and Velunja current values are stated, because only one sampling has taken place. - good chemical state (good c.s. = good) – the result does not exceed limit values

- bad chemical state = overburdened chemical state, the result exceeds prescribed limit value

Figure 17: Chemical state of surface waters (source: ERICo, 2009)

Rainfall wastewater effluent from the mine (NOP) into the Paka River was analyzed in June 2009.


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Table 8: The results of samples analysis of rainfall - wastewater effluent into the Paka River (NOP - 23.06.2009) (source: ERICo, 2009)

PARAMETER UNIT RESULT

MDK Effl. 1 Effl. 2 Effl. 3 Effl.4 Effl. 5 Effl. 6

pH* 6.78 8.02 7.91 8.05 7.82 7.70 6.5 - 9.0

T* 'C 17.5 16.3 16.5 15.9 15.3 15.7 30

CODd mg 02/1 <30 584 80 46 61 <30 120

BOD5 mg 02/I <9 30 11 <9 <9 <9 25

Insoluble matter mg/I 12 1098 110 43 72 21 80

settling matter – 1/2 h ml/1 <0.1 2.5 0.4 0.2 0.1 <0.1

settling matter - 1 h m1/1 <0.1 2.5 0.5 0.2 0.2 <0.1

settling matter - 2 h m1/1 <0.1 2.5 0.6 0.3 0.3 <0.1 0.5

colour - 436 nm 1/m 0.17 1.05 1.80 1.59 0.60 0.82 7.0

colour - 525 rim 1/m <0.1 0.38 0.84 0.77 0.22 0.35 5.0

colour - 620 nm l/m <0.1 0.15 0.44 0.40 <0.1 0.20 3.0

Nitrate Nitrogen mg N/1 0.35 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 0.3 (f)

Ammonium Nitrogen mg N/I <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 10

P-total mg P/I <0.03 0.27 0.21 0.042 0.18 0.076 2.0

Total Carbonhydrates

mg/I 0.44 1.61 0.70 0.74 0.87 0.50 10

(hard to evaporate) lipophilic matter

mg/1 <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 20

* measurement done on site

MDK - limit values of waste water effluent to a watercourse (Decree on the emission of heat and discharges of effluents in water and public sewer, Official Gazette of RS No. 47/05 and No. 45/07, Annex 2) (f) limit determined in the mode of article 6.of the Decree and shall not exceed 30 mg N/l

Sample taking and analysis of samples of rainfall- wastewater were carried out in accordance with the Rules on Initial Measurements and Operational Monitoring of waste water and the conditions for its implementation (Official Gazette RS, no. 74/07).

Rainfall- waste water quality was estimated on the basis of the emission of heat and discharges of effluents into public sewers and water - effluent into a watercourse (Official Gazette of RS, no. and 47/05, 45/07, Annex 2).

In the samples of rainfall wastewater - effluent No. 1, 4,5 and 6 none of the analyzed parameters did exceed the prescribed value of MDK for discharge waste water into the watercourse. In the sample of rainfall wastewater - effluent No. 2, the parameters measured CODd, BOD5, insoluble matter and settling matter exceeded MDK values for the discharge of waste water in the watercourse. In the sample of rainfall wastewater - effluent No.3 the parameters insoluble matter and settling matter slightly exceeded limit values.


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Figure 18: Effluents to the Paka River (source: PV Invest, 2009)

An analysis of wastewater from pumping station Preloge and Škale was carried out in August this year.

Table 9: Sample analysis of Wastewater from pumping station K — 130 Preloge and pumping station K — 120 Škale, August 2009

PARAMETER UNIT SAMPLE – Pumping

station MDK K – 130 Preloge

K – 120 Škale

(15.07.2009)

pH 7.28 7.32 6.5 – 9.0

EC μS/cm 1900 721

CODd mg 02/1 80 <30 120

BOD5 mg 02/1 16 <9 25

Iron mg/1 <0.0500 <0.0100 2.0*

Nitrate Nitrogen: ma N/l 0.24 0.98 (f)

Nitrite Nitrogen mg N/l 0.37 <0.3 1.0

Sulfate mg/l > 80 (335) > 80 (112) (f)

Ammonium Nitrogen: mg N/l 12.2 <1.0 10

Chloride mg/l 25.8 4.35 (g)

Phosphorous-total mg P/l 0.44 0.10 2.0

Calcium mg/l 123 93.3

Magnesium mg/lI 72.1 38.3

Natrium mg/l 212 10.3

Potassium mg/l 10.8 1.05

Hydrogen carbonate mg/l 794 387 MDK -limit values of waste water - effluent into a watercourse (Decree on the emission of heat and discharges of effluents in water and public sewer - Official Gazette of RS 47/05 M. and M. 45/07, Annex 2


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(f) determines the maximum value in the mode of Article 6 of Decree on the emission of heat and discharges of effluents into public sewers and water, Official Gazette RS M. 47/05 and M. 45/07 and must not exceed 30 mg N/l for nitrate nitrogen and 3000 mg / I for Sulfate (g) parameter limit value is determined in the environmental permit indirectly by considering threshold for toxicity

Analysis of waste water samples have been carried out in accordance with the Rules on Initial Measurements and Operational Monitoring of waste water and the conditions for its implementation (OG RS, no. 74/07). Quality of wastewater was estimated on the basis of the emission of heat and discharges of effluents in water and public sewer effluent in fresh waters (Official Gazette RS no. 47/05 and No. 45/07, Annex 2).

In the sample of waste water from the pumping station K - 130 Preloge the parameter Ammonium Nitrogen exceeded the prescribed limit for the waste water in the watercourse. Other parameters measured were below the prescribed limits.

In the sample of waste water from the pumping station K - 120 Škale (15.07.2009) none of the measured parameters exceeded the prescribed limits for the waste water discharge in the watercourse.

Mine water from the pumping stations K - 130 Preloge and K - 120 Škale, along with fecal waste water from the Premogovnik Velenje is treated at the Central Water Treatment Plant of the Šaleška Valley (50,000 PU). The waste water treatment procedure is mechanical treatment and biofiltration with fixed biomass (oxidation of carbon, nitrification and denitrification). This technology significantly reduces the required volume of the device with the same cleaning effect. The structures are a half the size of the ones using conventional technologies and therefore more suitable for settlement area.

Figure 19: Central Water Treatment Plant of the Šaleska Valley


For cooling and transport TEŠ captures the water from the Paka River and the subsidence lakes (Lake Druţmirje and Lake Velenje), and for the preparation of demineralised water the Plant captures water from the Topolšica catchment and partly from the Velenje water distribution system. Waste cooling waters from the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant and part of the waste rainwater are led via 3 channels into the Paka River, urban wastewaters are led to the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Šaleška Valley, and other waste process waters from TEŠ are used in closed circuits (in the transport of ashes or for wetting the soil at the area of subsidence reconstruction) and are not discharged into the watercourse or the sewage system.

The impacts on the waters during construction of Unit 6 will be small if mitigation measures are implemented.


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The operation of the planned new Unit 6 in TEŠ will involve generation of a certain quantity of wastewaters, although a closed circuit of process waters is planned. All the sources of permanent wastewaters are incorporated into closed circuits and are led back into the technological process, either without purification or after being treated. Thus there are no wastewaters from the installations of Unit 6 of TEŠ that are returned to the Paka River. The only exception is the bilge water from the cooling system, but this water is not polluted and may be discharged into the watercourse. The impacts on the surface waters during the operation of Unit 6 will not result from the use of raw water, because water consumption will not increase. Provided that the wastewaters are properly purified and that specific maximum allowed concentrations are obeyed, and if the QESP of the Paka River and the level of lakes are ensured, the impacts on the watercourse and the lakes will be moderate.

The operation of the mine will remain within the frame of activities carried out today, so no additional impact on the Paka River is foreseen. The proposed remediation of wastewater discharge to the Paka River (effluent 2) will improve water quality in the river and will have a positive impact on surface water quality.

Due to the continued excavation of lignite in the Velenje Coal mine the Lake Druţmirje will increase significantly. It will change on all sides except in the south where it borders on Šoštanj and the Paka River. According to the forecasts of Velenje Coal mine it will cover close to 170 hectares in 2020 and will become, regarding the surface and the amount of water, the largest lake in the Šaleška Valley. The lake water quality will mainly depend on types of use and protection measures in its catchment area.



Remediation of Coal mine Velenje waste rainfall water collection and treatment system connected to effluents to the Paka River (especially effluent no. 2).

The riparian buffer zone should be established (planted) on the perimeter of the predicted subsidence area to trap sediments and nutrients from the nearby farmland. Planting in the area of predicted subsidence should be temporary only and the vegetation should be removed prior to actual subsidence.

General measures of water pollution prevention in the area (municipal level mitigation

measures).

3.3.4 Monitoring


Continuation of present surface water monitoring program in the Šaleška Valley.

3.4 Soils


The natural relationship between heavy rainfall and moderate temperatures results in prevailing of washed soil, called the Podsol in the valley. At the valley bottom, covered with river


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deposits, is the sandy, medium-washed out soil, the soils of higher terraces are based on oily lake clay and loam. Difficult to culture chunky loam better known under the name "pine soil" has been previously covered, due to lack of lime and poor ventilation, mainly by coniferous forest, meadows and orchards.

In the lake area different soils have developed as a result of variety of mineral composition of the ground. Soil cover is continuous however it differentiates in thickness and permeability. Since it is mainly loam, high waters are, despite the prevailing forest coverage, turbid (muddy). The soil cover is very important, since it is the main potential source of emerging lake sediments and the source of mineral and organic matter. The prevalence and intensity of agricultural land use is also dependent on the soil cover. Because of relief and the fact that the soils are not very fertile (washed out, compaction, acidification) there is not much basis for intensive agriculture.

Conducted soil analysis (ERICo Velenje, 2001) shows that 60 % of the analyzed locations have soil pH lower than 5.5. The rehabilitation of acidified grassland areas is already carried out. In most grassland locations the soils have insufficient and unbalanced phosphorus and potassium content (attainable to plants) which further hinders the adoption of nutrients through the soil solution by plants, and affects the mobility of potentially toxic heavy metals (Cd, As, Pb), probably as well as microbiological activity.

The measurements of concentrations of dust deposit on locations: Šoštanj, Topolšica, Zavodnje, Graška gora, Velenje, Veliki Vrh, repository Pesje and Škale in the years 2000 - 2006 show that even the highest concentration of deposited dust has not exceeded the maximum monthly value (350 mg/m2day) nor maxiumum annual level (200 mg/m2day). The results of the analysis of heavy metals in dust deposits show that the annual deposition of Pb, Cd and Zn levels did not exceed limit values at any of the monitoring locations. The decrease in the lead concentration in this period is primarily attributable to the abolition of leaded petrol.


Considering the fact that the construction of Unit 6 will take place in the industrial zone of the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant, west from the existing units, the construction-related activities will not have a significant effect on the condition of soil. The earth that will be dug out during excavations will have to be treated in accordance with the valid environmental protection regulations.

Larger, but short-term impacts on the quality of soil may be expected in case of longer failures of purification systems due to increased emissions of pollutant concentrations into the atmosphere, which as a consequence pose a burden on the surface layer of the soil. The impact on the soil will be small if mitigation measures are implemented.

The impact of the Coal mine on soil will be a consequence of land subsidence in the exploitation area and potential impact of dust from the coal yard and subsidence remediation area. The current practice of soil removal prior to subsidence will continue in the future. The soil will be used for thin layers of vegetation (grass) cover in the remediation area which prevents spread of dust in the area. Potential excessive amounts of soil will be used for remediation of other areas. The coal yard is constantly wetted so the coal dust doesn‘t spread in the adjacent areas. The future impact of the Coal mine will remain as it is today. No additional impact is expected. The current mitigation measures are suitable.


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During construction and operation of Unit 6 as described in the EIA Report for construction and operation of Unit 6 in TPP Šoštanj, Ref. no. 1973 (EIMV, July 2009), Chapter 4. 1.6.

The current mitigation measures in the exploitation area of the Coal mine are suitable. Planting tree zones can additionally help in capturing dust form unvegetated surfaces.

3.4.4 Monitoring

During construction and operation of Unit 6 as described in the EIA Report for construction and operation of Unit 6 in TPP Šoštanj, Ref. no. 1973 (EIMV, July 2009), Chapter 4. 1.7.

3.5 Air quality


Climate

The Šaleška Valley has a temperate continental climate and belongs to the Central-Slovenia climate area. Typical of the Central-Slovenia climate is the average temperature of the coldest month between 0 and -3 °C, and the warmest between 15 and 20 °C, the average temperature in October is higher than in April. The climate is characterized by Sub-continental rainfall regime and the average annual rainfall is between 1000 and 1300 mm. The January average temperature in Velenje is about 1 °C and about 19 °C in July, the mean annual temperature is 9.2 °C. The direction of prevailing winds is in the western and eastern quadrant, which is consistent with the direction of the valley axis. Between the years 1951 and 1985 Velenje had on average 36 foggy days a year. The rainfall is characterized by high variability in annual quantity. During the period between years 1961 and 1991 the average rainfall in Velenje was 1233 mm. Most precipitation falls in summer, the driest months are January and February.

With regard to its location the Šaleška Valley has a few characteristic locations which are defined mostly by altitude and their position in the Šaleška Valley, and on its outskirts. The characteristic measurement locations are:

- Veliki Vrh, which lies on the southern slope of the valley, - Šoštanj, that lies inside the valley (Velenje is similarly situated), - Zavodnje that are characteristic for the north slope of the valley and - Graška gora, which is due to its elevation characteristic for the conditions governing

in the wider area and it's not under the influence of the local relief.

Temperature inversion is a phenomenon that is typical for the Šaleška Valley. The formation of inversion is linked in particular to the autumn and winter anti-cyclone situation. The low path of the sun above the horizon in autumn and winter does not provide enough heat to break up the inversion. The inversions are typical of November weather. Discontinuous vertical flows are triggered only when the high air pressure subsides. This happens for example when stronger winds introduce the west weather status, which brings variable weather. The winds then ventilate the whole area with fresh air and remove polluted air from the basin.

Figure 20 shows the situation of elevated concentrations of SO2 at Zavodnje which had occurred at a time when the Units 4 and 5 operated without facilities for flue gas desulphurization, which resulted in release of flue gas with high concentrations of SO2 in the air.

In Velenje, or the eastern part of the Šaleška valley the air is relatively clean, because a lake of cold air, which often occurs protects the bottom of the valley from the impact of harmful emissions from the high chimneys of TTP Šoštanj. During the intensive vertical exchange of air


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below the subsidence inversion in this part of the Šaleška valley relatively high concentrations of SO2 occurred. In Zavodnje high concentrations of SO2 occurred mainly at night and in the morning, in the case of high elevation of inversion and very weak wind.

Figure 20: Vertical exchange of air below the subsidence inversion (source: Environmental Agency of RS)

Figure 21: Air flow in weather conditions with strong southern wind (source: Environmental Agency of RS)

In the area around the TPP Šoštanj elevated SO2 levels, associated with the occurrence of inversions, after the installation of gas treatment plants in Units 4 and 5 (desulphurization) are no longer detectable. However, elevated concentrations of SO2 occasionally occur at the locations of measuring stations Šoštanj and Veliki Vrh at increased wind speeds (North or South) - Figure 21 and Figure 22.


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Figure 22: Air flow in weather conditions with strong northern wind (source: Environmental Agency of RS)

Although the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant is a large source of emissions of substances into the atmosphere, it prevented, by district heating, high air pollution concentrations in the surrounding populated areas and towns, which would have been caused by numerous small firing places.

Air emissions

Measurements of air emissions from ventilation stations Pesje and Škale in Velenje coal mine in the year 2006:

Table 10: Parameters of gas at gas outflow from the ventilation station Pesje

Date / Parameter

Awerage flow of dry gas

Relative moisture

Temperature

(Nrn3/h) (%) (°C)

25.10.2006 — Wednesday 776603 15.24 15.0

17.11.2006 — Friday 748707 10.60 15.0

26.11.2006 — Sunday 761455 9.82 14.9

27.11.2006 — Monday 765413 16.22 14.1

Table 11: Total dust emission concentrations from the ventilation station Pesje

Date / Parameter Value (g/h)

25.10.2006 — Wednesday 186

17.11.2006 — Friday 801

26.11.2006 — Sunday 2041

27.11.2006 — Monday 1837

Table 12: Emission concentrations of VOC from the ventilation station Pesje

Date / Parameter Value (kg/h)

25.10.2006 — Wednesday 290

17.11.2006 — Friday 421

26.11.2006 — Sunday 325

27.11.2006 — Monday 247


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Table 13: Emission concentrations of volatile gasses CO, CO2, O2, NOx, SO, DMS, CH4, H2, H2S from the ventilation station Pesje

Date / Parameter

CO (kg/h)

CO2 (kg/h)

O2 (kg/h)

NOx (kg/h)

SO2 (kg/h)

DMS (kg/h)

CH4 (kg/h)

H2, (kg/h)

H2S (kg/h)

25.10.2006 Wednesday

4.12 5126 / 6.06 <0.78 15.8 1087 0.23 <1.2

17.11.2006 Friday

4.94 4641 / 5.62 <0.78 9.21 299 0.06 <1.2

26.11.2006 Sunday

5.03 4568 / 3.43 <0.78 6.40 305 0.06 <1.2

27.11.2006 Monday

4.,44 5358 / 4.59 <0.78 6.97 306 0.19 <1.2

Table 14: Emission concentrations of heavy metals Pb, Cr, Ni, Cd, As, Cu and Tl from the ventilation station Pesje

Date / Parameter

Pb (kg/h)

Cr (kg/h)

Ni (kg/h)

Cd (kg/h)

As (kg/h)

Cu (kg/h)

Tl (kg/h)


2.21 2.29 0.18 0.43 0.16 0.31 <0.004

17.11.2006 Friday

0.04 <0.42 0.13 0.06 <0.02 0.40 <0.004

26.11.2006 Sunday

1.61 <0.42 0.20 0.07 <0.02 0.36 <0.004

27.11.2006 Monday

2.69 3.56 0.38 0.43 0.04 0.45 0.02

Table 15: Emission concentrations of heavy metals Hg, Se, Sb, Sn, Pd, Mn and V fom the ventilation station Pesje

Date / Parameter

Hg (kg/h)

Se (kg/h)

Sb (kg/h)

Sn (kg/h)

Pd (kg/h)

Mn (kg/h)

V (kg/h)


<0.01 0.15 <0.42 <0.42 <0.04 1.05 <0.04

17.11.2006 Friday

<0.01 0.02 <0.42 <0.42 <0.04 <0.42 0.06

26.11.2006 Sunday

<0.01 0.03 <0.42 <0.42 <0.04 1.01 <0.04

27.11.2006 Monday

<0.01 0.05 <0.42 <0.42 <0.04 1.14 0.18

Table 16: Parameters of gas at gas outflow from the ventilation station Škale

Date / Parameter

Awerage flow of dry gas

Relative moisture

Temperature

(Nrn3/h) (%) (°C)

25.10.2006 — Wednesday 765319 13.87 14.9

17.11.2006 — Friday 795048 11.23 15.2

26.11.2006 — Sunday 746862 10.27 14.9

27.11.2006 — Monday 772818 15.32 14.1


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Table 17: Total dust emission concentrations from the ventilation station Škale

Date / Parameter Value (g/h)

25.10.2006 — Wednesday 321

17.11.2006 — Friday 1201

26.11.2006 — Sunday 530

27.11.2006 — Monday 1885

Table 18: Emission concentrations of VOC from the ventilation station Škale

Date / Parameter Value (kg/h)

25.10.2006 — Wednesday 534

17.11.2006 — Friday 648

26.11.2006 — Sunday 578

27.11.2006 — Monday 666

Table 19: Emission concentrations of volatile gasses CO, CO2, O2, NOx, SO, DMS, CH4, H2, H2S fom the ventilation station Škale

Date / Parameter

CO (kg/h)

CO2 (kg/h)

02 (kg/h)

NOx (kg/h)

SO2 (kg/h)

DMS (kg/h)

CH4 (kg/h)

H2, (kg/h)

H2S (kg/h)


2.45 3061 / 6.06 <0.78 1087 841 0.15 <1.2

17.11.2006 Friday

4.45 3895 / 10.18 <0.78 3.02 79.5 0.06 <1.2

26.11.2006 Sunday

2.17 3510 / 9.41 <0.78 26.5 821.6 0.06 <1.2

27.11.2006 Monday

2.78 3787 / 5.80 1.62 27.4 927.4 0.06 <1.2

Table 20: Emission concentrations of heavy metals Pb, Cr, Ni, Cd, As, Cu and Tl fom the ventilation station Škale

Date / Parameter

Pb (kg/h)

Cr (kg/h)

Ni (kg/h)

Cd (kg/h)

As (kg/h)

Cu (kg/h)

Tl (kg/h)


1.71 <0.42 0.22 0.06 0.07 0.18 <0.004

17.11.2006 Friday

1.79 <0.42 0.16 0.06 <0.05 0.51 <0.004

26.11.2006 Sunday

2.57 4.42 1.09 0.46 <0.06 0.43 0.01

27.11.2006 Monday

2.32 2.20 0.19 0.39 0.05 0.38 0.02

Table 21: Emission concentrations of heavy metals Hg, Se, Sb, Sn, Pd, Mn and V fom the ventilation station Škale

Date / Parameter

Hg (kg/h)

Se (kg/h)

Sb (kg/h)

Sn (kg/h)

Pd (kg/h)

Mn (kg/h)

V (kg/h)


0.02 0.09 <0.42 <0.42 <0.04 <0.42 0.08

17.11.2006 Friday

<0.01 0.02 <0.42 <0.42 <0.04 0.83 <0.04

26.11.2006 Sunday

<0.01 0.04 <0.42 <0.42 <0.04 0.86 0.22

27.11.2006 Monday

<0.01 0.03 <0.42 <0.42 <0.04 0.69 0.05


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Air quality

Although the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant is a large source of emissions into air, it has helped to prevent high concentrations of air pollutants that would otherwise be generated by numerous small furnaces, by means of district heating in the nearby settlements. The selected pulverized coal combustion technology and the flue gases purification, which are the appropriate BAT technologies for large combustion plants that use coal, the emissions from the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant will be reduced after the construction of Unit 6. Unit 6 will replace the old units 1, 2 and 3 with BAT technology with higher utilization rates, which is in accordance with the modern objectives of the energy strategy.

With the beginning of operation of Unit 6 and by taking account of the planned use of coal, the emission of carbon dioxide will not be reduced and will stay at the same level (approximately 4 million tonnes of CO2). The specific emission of carbon dioxide (tCO2/kWh) will be on the other hand reduced in the production of electric energy, primarily owing to higher utilization rates of the selected technology, which will reach around 43 %. This will help increase the production of electric energy and at the same time the level of carbon dioxide emission will remain unchanged. BAT technology for large combustion plants does not yet include the CCS technology for capturing CO2 from flue gases, but after 2020, the emissions of CO2 will have to be reduced to such an extent that CCS technology will have to be used in Unit 6 of the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant. In the spatial plan, space for this addition has already been foreseen.

Beside the direct influence, which is defined with the area of evaluation, there is also the long-distance effect, which is a result of the transmission of flue gases over great distances. Predicted concentrations of sulphur oxides in the ambient air are shown in the model calculation and in the data on the concentrations of SO2 in ambient air at the Austrian side of the border. It is evident from all the data that the concentrations are within the limit values.

The newly built Unit 6 will include a system for selective catalytic reduction of NOX, which means the emission concentrations of NOX and the concentrations in the ambient air will be reduced, and as a result, the formation of ground-level ozone will be reduced. The emissions of carbon monoxide are also expected to be reduced due to perfect combustion and a well-designed furnace, and due to the reduction of dust emissions by using the electrostatic dust filter.

Under appropriate conditions for emitting flue gases into the ambient air, the quality of ambient air in the area of the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant will improve. The impact of the construction of Unit 6 of the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant on the quality of ambient air is acceptable if the mitigation measures are taken.

Air emissions due to the mine operation will presumably stay on the present level. No additional emissions from the mine are expected because the technology will remain the same in the future.

(Micro)climate changes

The impact of lake expansion on existing microclimate in the area will not be significant. Several studies on the impact of large lakes and storage reservoirs so far have shown that the impact on the surrounding area is of smaller than expected.

An Austrian study of the accumulation at Bistrica on the Drava River (4.8 km2) has shown that changes in temperature and humidity at the measuring points in the area are not statistically provable. Though in theory (model) the air stream at moderate winds and extremely high evaporation over a 2.8 km wide water surface can, at a distance of 200 m from the shore, increase the absolute humidity by 0.1 g /m3 (which at 15 °C and 60 percent relative humidity


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leads to a less than 1 % rise of the relative humidity and half a degree rise of dew point temperature). Temperature difference at that distance is estimated at several tenths of a degree. The temperature variations have a tendency to "smooth down" the extremes – they lower the maximum temperatures and raise the minimum temperatures.

Similar studies on the effects of water accumulation on the microclimate have been carried out in Slovenia as well eg. the impact of permanent lake volume at Lake Cerknica (Rakovec and Petkovšek, 1983), or the impact of accumulation of HPP Golica reservoir on the microclimate in the Bistrica gully (Rakovec, 1991) Thus, in the case Lake Cerknica (up to 38 km2), in extreme conditions (the 10 ° C difference between air and water temperatures) temperature at a distance of 2 km from the lake would change up to 1.6 ° C compared to the situation, if there was no lake. In an event of such a large temperature difference between water and air (where the lake is up to 10 degrees cooler than the ambient air, eg. In spring) the fog above the lake could be stretching for a distance of several hundred meters (from the lake shores).8

The potential change in microclimate will certainly be smaller than the change that has already happened during the coal excavation period, from the beginning of Lake Škale formation to the lake landscape of today.

Beside potential direct impact on microclimate there is an indirect impact of lakes on climate through greenhouse gases capture, sequestration or release. Lakes act as sinks of carbon because they can sequester large amounts of carbon. But on the other hand eutrophic lakes with high nutrient content and intense primary production can be significant sources of atmospheric greenhouse gases, CO2, CH4, and N2O (Liikanen, A.; Martikainen, P. J., 2003)9. Eutrophic lakes emit greenhouse gases because of the rotting of organic matter - the plants that grow in them, and the detritus that flows into the lakes from upstream. The water quality in the Šaleška lakes is thus very important and measures for maintenance and/or improvement of present quality must be implemented in the whole water catchment area.


During construction and operation of Unit 6 as described in the EIA Report for construction and operation of Unit 6 in TPP Šoštanj, Ref. no. 1973 (EIMV, July 2009), Chapter 4. 3.5.1.

Prevention of polluted effluents into the lakes and establishment of riparian vegetation buffer zone along the lake shores can have a significant positive impact on water quality and thus indirectly on air quality due to reduction of green house gas emissions.

3.5.4 Monitoring

During construction and operation of Unit 6 as described in the EIA Report for construction and operation of Unit 6 in TPP Šoštanj, Ref. no. 1973 (EIMV, July 2009), Chapter 4. 3.5.2.

8 Rakovec j., Gregorič, G., 1998: Possible impact of planned HPP reservoir on the Sava Dolinka River

downstream from HPP Moste on microclimate in the surrounding area. Final report 9 Greenhouse gas and nutrient dynamics in lake sediments in changing environment, EGS - AGU - EUG

Joint Assembly, Abstracts from the meeting held in Nice, France, 6 - 11 April 2003, abstract #14036

http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/author_form?author=Liikanen,+A&fullauthor=Liikanen,%20A.&charset=UTF-8&db_key=PHY

http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/author_form?author=Martikainen,+P&fullauthor=Martikainen,%20P.%20J.&charset=UTF-8&db_key=PHY


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3.6 Noise and vibrations


Noise

Ventilation station Šoštanj has an Environmental protection permit regarding noise emissions due to operation, issued by the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning No. 35451-7/2007-6 Date: 12.11.2007

Ventilation station Pesje does not need environmental protection permit due to its operation for safety purposes (against occurrence of mining accidents) –a Decree issued by the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, No. 35451-81/2009-02, Date: 23.06.2009

Legislation in force:

- Decree no. 34/2008 on limit values of noise indicators in environment (Official Gazette RS, No. 105/05, Amendments No. 34/08), derived from the Directive 2002/49 EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise

Table 22: Limit values of noise indicators Lday, Levening, Lnight, Ldaily caused by a noise source (Decree on limit values of noise indicators in environment (Official Gazette RS, No. 105/05, 34/08)

Noise protection

level

Lday

dB(A) Levening

dB(A) Lnight

dB(A) Ldaily

dB(A)

level III area 58 53 48 58

level IV area 73 68 63 73

Table 23: Noise peak limit values L1 caused by a noise source (Decree on limit values of noise indicators in environment (Official Gazette RS, NO. 105/05, 34/08)

Noise protection

level

L1-evening, night

dB(A) L1 -day

dB(A)

level III area 70 85

level IV area 90 90

Table 24: Limit values of noise indicators Lnight, Ldaily for noise protection level areas (Decree on limit values of noise indicators in environment (Official Gazette RS, NO. 105/05, 34/08)

Noise protection

level

Lnight

dB(A) Ldaily

dB(A)

level III area 50 60

level IV area 65 75

3 reports on noise measurements have been done:


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Report on measurements of environmental noise for noise source Premogovnik Velenje – Ventilatorska postaja Šoštanj (completed), elaborated by Institute for Health Protection Celje, No. 121-21-303-03/03-1, October 2007.

Report on measurements of environmental noise for noise source Premogovnik Velenje – DIK Pesje,elaborated by Institute for Health Protection Celje, No. 121-21-303-05/07, May 2007.

Report on measurements of environmental noise for noise source Premogovnik Velenje – NOP area, elaborated by Institute for Health Protection Celje, No. 121-21-303-011/09, 22.06.2009.

Table 25: Noise measurements on locations 1,2 and 3

Measurement location

Noise indicator values (dBA) Peak noise level values (dBA)

Ldaytime Levening Lnight Ldaily L1evening-

night L1 daytime

1

50 50 52

2

51 51 52

3

49 49 51

Level III area l. value (source)

58 53 48 58 70 85

Level III area limit value

- - 50 60 - -

Level III area critical value

- - 59 69 - -


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Figure 23: Noise measurement locations

Table 26: Noise measurements on locations 4, 5 and 6


Noise indicator values (dBA) Peak noise level values (dBA)


night L1 daytime

4

59 56 56 62 57 60

5

56 50 46 56 55 60

6

55 50 45 55 53 62

Level IV area limit value

- - 65 75 - -

Level IV area critical value

- - 80 80 - -


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Table 27: Noise measurements on locations 7,8 and 9


Noise indicator values (dBA) Peak noise level values

(dBA)


night L1 daytime

7

43 43 43 50 46 66

8

48 48 48 55 49 80

9

44 44 44 51 48 65

Level III area l. value (source)

58 53 48 58 70 85

Level III area limit value

- - 50 60 - -

Level III area critical value

- - 59 69 - -

Vibrations

The maximum measured values of vibrations/ground tremors due to blasting in the mine (measured since 1997) in Šoštanj are 2.7-2.9 mm/s, typically somewhere between 0.7 - 1.1 mm/s. The number of vibration varies from 10 to 40 in a month. Most vibrations are weak, stronger vibrations are rare, perhaps once or twice a year. Measurements are performed in Mayer's villa in Šoštanj according to German standard for ground tremors DIN 4150. The limit value (DIN 4150) is 3 mm/s or more for protected buildings, 5 mm/s or more for apartment buildings and 10 mm/s or more for industrial buildings, depending on frequency of waves. The values at which where people start to feel the ground tremors are essentially lower than the standard for safe ground tremors. People as live seismograph can detect very weak vibrations of 0.5 mm/s, according to PV data from the Šoštanj even 0.1 mm/s. Monitoring of events related to the ground tremor in Šoštanj and Pesje is carried out according to the agreement between the company Premogovnik Velenje and local authorities:

• calls to a toll-free phone line; the toll-free phone line is open 24 hours a day. The recordings are kept in electronic form, at the department for management of exploitation area at the company PV Invest.

• calls to a person on duty at Premogovnik Velenje, • calls to regular telephone lines, • acceptance of written complaints.

Monitoring of complaints and/or events is the domain of the company PV INVEST -Management of the Exploitation Area.

As a result of blasting or tension release a noise is released in the form of detonation. These values are defined by the standards in order to preserve the safe limits, which are below the levels of noise emitted from transiting jet or thunder.


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Noise

Protection against noise in the natural and living environment means primarily the reduction of noise emissions at the source and limiting the spread of noise, and ensuring a healthy living environment during construction, as well as during operation. The planned construction and operation of the new energy production unit will not excessively burden the environment with noise, provided that all the noise-protection measures are taken. At unit 4 noise will need to be lowered with planed noise measures as only unit 4 is excessively burdening a small part of the environment with noise. The influence of the new power production Unit 6 will be large, but still within the margin of tolerance during construction as well as operation. Due to the complexity of the problem, a noise/acoustics expert must be present at all stages.

The impact of the Coal mine Velenje on environmental noise will remain the same as it is today. The measurements show that the limit noise levels are not exceeded. The noise levels due to blasting will continue to be below the levels of noise emitted from transiting jets or thunders.

Vibrations

For vibrations in the environment there are no legally binding rules yet but certain recommendations exist. During the construction of Unit 6 some construction machinery can cause a higher level of vibrations than normal for this environment. However, no damage to buildings or other elements of the environment is expected due to the direct impact of vibrations. The levels of vibration speed, which can cause slight damage to buildings usually exceed 5 mm/s. On the other hand, people perceive the vibration speed already around 0.1 mm / s, while the speeds to 1.8 mm/s are considered as tolerant. In view of this, it is expected that some vibrations will be detectable at the closest residential buildings, whereas during the operation, with regard to the proper foundation and the use of appropriate anti-vibration elements, environmentally harmful vibrations are not expected.

The maximum measured values of vibrations/ground tremors due to blasting in the Coal mine Velenje will remain at the present level of 2.7-2.9 mm/s, typically somewhere between 0.7 - 1.1 mm/s.


During construction and operation of Unit 6 as described in the EIA Report for construction and operation of Unit 6 in TPP Šoštanj, Ref. no. 1973 (EIMV, July 2009), Chapter 4.4.6.

Noise measurements show that noise from the Mine‘s ventilation stations is not problematic so mitigation measures are not necessary. Noise should be further monitored and in case of some raised values mitigation measures should be defined and implemented.

3.6.4 Monitoring


The online measurement and reporting of vibrations in the Coal mine Velenje should continue as is.


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3.7 Flora, fauna, vegetation and habitat types


Typical of the Šaleška Valley (except for urban centres) is the agrarian (at the flatland and the south expositions of the hilly area) and wooded landscape. In the wider surroundings of the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant, some endangered plants species grow. In the direct vicinity of the location for the construction of Unit 6, there are no endangered plant species. The increased emissions of pollutants from Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant affected the forests, which reflected in defoliation of the trees and reduction of increment, which was noticeable primarily in the mature spruce stands in Zavodnje and Sleme in the eighties.

Beside gaseous pollutants, the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant used to emit large quantities of heavy metals that accumulated in the ground and are circulating in the ecosystems of the Šaleška Valley. Another problem of the immission area of the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant is soil acidification, which is why the project of recovery of acidified agricultural soil is taking place. Such soil is less appropriate for the cultivation of the majority of cultivated plants and economically important grasses.

Despite ecological issues, the wider area of the Šaleška Valley boasts great biodiversity. Coalmining and electric power production are ―to blame‖ for the existence of unique ecological situation that results in a large carrying capacity for wild animals. Among terrestrial vertebrates, 290 species have been registered so far: 42 species of mammals, 227 species of birds, 10 species of reptiles and 11 species of amphibians. In comparison with the indigenous Slovenian fauna, 82 % of the mammals known in Slovenia (without the Chiroptera order), 62 % birds, 43 % reptiles and 58 % amphibians have been discovered in the Šaleška Valley.

Among the registered terrestrial vertebrates of the Šalek Valley, 137 species are included in the Red lists of endangered animal species of Slovenia (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia no. 82/02): 12 species of mammals, 108 species of birds, 8 species of reptiles and 10 species of amphibians. Among the known invertebrates, 7 species are included into the Red lists (ibid.): 5 species of Myriapods, 1 species of spider and 1 species of Odonata.

Lake Druţmirje and Lake Velenje are moderate eutrophic lakes (biologically productive lakes). 26 fish species live in the Paka River and the lakes together. Around the lakes 27 of dragon-flies were been identified in the years 2000-2002. The number of bird species in the lake area indicates that the Šaleška Valley lies on an important bird migratory route. A lot of birds also spend the winter on the lakes.


The construction of Unit 6 will take place primarily in the industrial zone of the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant, and partly also outside it. If the mitigation measures are taken, the impacts on the flora will be small. The planned construction will have a small effect on the agriculture as an activity. If the emissions are reduced as planned, the impact of the operation of Unit 6 on the flora will be small. The immissions of the pollutants are expected to decrease, but a certain impact on the polluted air will remain present and may have a negative effect on the flora, especially in case of failures of purification devices in combination with unfavourable weather conditions at the most exposed locations, which is why further monitoring of the effects on the flora is advised.

If emissions and concentrations of immissions in the vicinity are reduced after the construction of Unit 6 of the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant is completed, the influences on the fauna will be small. During construction, no negative impacts are expected, because the entire construction


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will take place within the limits of the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant industrial zone, which is not a significant habitat area for wild animals (except for some very common synanthropic species).

The impact of the Coal mine on vegetation and wildlife will be a consequence of land subsidence due to further coal excavation. The subsidence of land will destroy terrestrial habitats in the lake area, mostly farmland and some woods. Terrestrial habitats will be replaced by water habitats which are already abundant in the area. The vegetation cover in subsidence area will be destroyed and removed prior the water flooding. If some rare plants are discovered in the subsidence area they could be removed from the area and transplanted elsewhere.

The impact on wildlife will generally not be as negative as impact on vegetation. The land subsidence is a gradual phenomenon and unlike plants terrestrial animals can relocate to other locations. The increase in water surface will have beneficial impact on water and riparian wildlife, if the water quality in the lakes is maintained.

Secondary biotopes which evolve in the lakes and around them contribute to a greater diversity of plant and animal species (biodiversity).

In the area of subsidence, including subsidence remediation area (stabilizate) 88 different habitat types were inventoried in 2007, including habitats suitable for mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish, etc. The abundance of individual species shows that the remedial measures in the subsidence area are successful and their implementation needs to continue.


During construction and operation of Unit 6 as described in the EIA Report for construction and operation of Unit 6 in TPP Šoštanj, Ref. no. 1973 (EIMV, July 2009), Chapters 4. 7.1.6. and 4.7.2.6.

3.7.4 Monitoring

During construction and operation of Unit 6 as described in the EIA Report for construction and operation of Unit 6 in TPP Šoštanj, Ref. no. 1973 (EIMV, July 2009), Chapters 4. 7.1.7. and 4.7.2.7.

3.8 Nature protection areas and cultural heritage


Nature protection areas

On the location of TEŠ there are no natural values, ecologically significant areas, protected or areas, Nature 2000 sites. Near by the subsidence restoration area there is a natural value of local significance Škale – mine subsidence (No. 6110). In the general vicinity of TEŠ there are several natural values of local significance and national importance. The Municipality of Velenje has 33 natural values recorded, and the Municipality of Šoštanj has 55. In the municipality of Šoštanj there are no natural monuments or areas protected by legislation.


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Figure 24: Nature protection areas (source: Atlas of Environment, 2009)

Ecologically significant (ES) area: Velenje – Konjice Hills (Id. No. 11500) extends over Lake Velenje and Lake Škale among other areas. The nearest Nature 2000 site is Huda Luknja (SI3000224) SCI, which is approx. 2 km away from the Lake Velenje to the northeast.

Cultural heritage

There are no cultural heritage sites in the area where Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant is located, but there are some in its surroundings: in the towns of Šoštanj and Velenje, and in the surrounding settlements.

Castles, churches and other architectural monuments: - Ruins of Eckenstein castle rise on top of a rock near the Šaleška castle. The castle was

first mentioned in 1329. - Mansion Gorica, the successor to the Ekenstein castle. It was built in the 17th century as

one floor building on a rectangular ground plane. - Velenje castle is one of the most preserved castles in Slovenia. It was first mentioned in

1270. In 1957 Velenje Coal mine founded a Museum of Slovene Coal mines in the castle. Gradually first collections were organized and at the same time an intensive renovation of the building was done.

- Ruin of Šaleška castle is situated on a steep, rock, partly precipitous hill, above the village Šaleška in Velenje. Castle was first mentioned in 1287 and around 1770 destroyed by fire. Its basic feature is a preserved multi-storey, triangular tower,

- Thurn castle lies on the slope above the village Hrastovec in Velenje. The castle was first mentioned in 1207.

- Cultural Center Velenje is home of city culture - cultural events, picture shows, symposia, etc. It is a work of the architect Oton Gaspari and it was built in 1959. The facility is located in the northwest of Tito square in middle of Velenje urban platform.

- Villa Herbestein, a suburban villa from around 1900, with extremely well preserved surroundings and quality, intact interior.


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- Villa Bianca, a suburban villa, built around 1855in the spirit of the old feudal castles. - There are many historically important churches in the area. Among the most important

are the churches of St. Andrew, St. Brikcija, S.t Jošt, St. Mohor and Fortunat, St. Oţbolt in Cirkovce, St. Tilen, the church of St. Mother of Good and the church of St. Nikolaj in Bevče.

- Kavčnik homestead, a museum of folk architecture. Historical monuments:and statues:

- In Velenje there are a large number of statues and one of most important is the monument of Josip Broz Tito, increasingly recognized and visited by tourists.

- Memorial room in Topolšica (10 km from Velenje) is consecrated to the signing of one of four partial capitulations of German army (signed by General Aleksander Löhr).

Archaeological areas / monuments:

- Druţmirje – Falk‘s cloister (No. 19658)

Surface traces of settlement from antiquity to the Middle and Modern Age. Among the finds late Roman period pottery is dominating. Geophysical survey has confirmed the existence of underground architectural structures.10

- Škale – Roman period settlement Groblje (No. 21514) Small Roman settlement, wall residues (two walls with secondary built in grave panel) are visible on the surface. Terrain subsidence has already damaged or partially destroyed the site.

Figure 25: Cultural heritage (source: Register of Cultural heritage, http://giskd.situla.org/, 2009)

10

Ordinance declaring cultural monuments in the municipality Šoštanj, Official Journal of Municipality of Šoštanj, no. 3/2006, 2/2009. Register of cultural heritage, http://rkd.situla.org/?uid=2375


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Nature protection areas

Due to the demolition works and construction of Unit 6 direct impacts on natural value features, protected areas, ecologically significant areas are not expected. During the operation of TEŠ Unit 6 could only have impact on the naturally important features and areas in the case of increase of emissions of harmful substances into air, water and soil due to waste management and stabilizat backfilling in subsidence rehabilitation area. According to available information, the emission levels to air will be lower than the existing ones. In light of estimated emission reductions the impact will be smaller than the existing one. Further mining activities in the Coal mine Velenje will have a direct impact on protected areas. The Škale mining subsidence is outside the impact area, but ecologically significant area of Velenje-Konjice hills will be directly affected by the future subsidence. The nature of impact is somewhat difficult to predict – the change of the present state in the area of Lake Velenje is certain, but the consequences will not necessarily be negative. However, the impact will depend on lake water quality. In case of good water quality the development of secondary habitats in and adjacent to the new lake boundary may have a beneficial impact on the nature protection areas.

Cultural heritage

During demolition works and construction of Unit 6 direct impacts on cultural heritage are not expected. Indirect impacts on cultural heritage due to demolition and construction works and transport may arise from vibration and dust emissions. During the operation, however, impact on cultural heritage are possible, particularly in the case of increased emissions and increased concentrations of pollutants (SO2, NOx, ...) in ambient air, which could cause damage to buildings, parks and monuments. Gases containing SO2, attack mainly limestone, because the reaction of SO2 with water produces sulphurous acid, which in turn dissolves the calcium carbonate (limestone, marble). Impacts on cultural heritage, from the operation of TEŠ are estimated as small. Due to estimated emission reductions impact on cultural heritage in terms of damage will be lesser than the existing one. There are no units of cultural heritage at TES site, but there are in its surroundings: urban settlements of Šoštanj and Velenje and the surrounding villages. Effects on cultural heritage can be present because of vibrations due to demolition and construction works and transport. During demolition and construction effects on cultural heritage, taking into account proposed mitigation measures will be small. Impacts during operation of TEŠ Unit 6 will depend on emissions and concentrations of pollutants in the ambient air, from TEŠ.

The subsidence due to further coal excavation in the mine will not affect buildings and areas of cultural heritage which have state level importance. Protected buildings and monuments are outside coal exploitation area. The subsidence, however, will have a large impact on locally important archaeological area in Druţmirje (Falk‘s cloister, No. 19658). The archaeological area will subside into Lake Druţmirje in its entirety. The further subsidence could also affect the already damaged archaeological site Groblje in Škale.


During construction and operation of Unit 6 as described in the EIA Report for construction and operation of Unit 6 in TPP Šoštanj, Ref. no. 1973 (EIMV, July 2009), Chapters 4.9.6. and 4.10.6.


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A detailed archaeological research / excavations of Falk‘s cloister prior subsidence and flooding.

Further archaeological research of Groblje in Škale is also recommended.

3.8.4 Monitoring

During construction and operation of Unit 6 as described in the EIA Report for construction and operation of Unit 6 in TPP Šoštanj, Ref. no. 1973 (EIMV, July 2009), Chapters 4.9.7. and 4.10.7.

3.9 Landscape properties and visual qualities


The area lies in the central part of the Šaleška Valley. There is a large, almost 6 km long industrial zone, which stretches along the Paka River from Velenje past Pesje to Šoštanj. In the industrial zone the complex of Gorenje, subsidence rehabilitation area, the coal yard, Velenje Coal Mine and Thermal Power Šoštanj are aligned. The TES complex lies on the southern outskirts of the valley and in the immediate vicinity of the subsiding areas due to coal mining. The original minutely articulated agricultural landscape at Velunja is slowly disappearing, being replaced by the lake landscape, which will after completion of coal mining and rehabilitation represent a large potential for development of sports, recreation and tourism in the municipalities Šoštanj and Velenje.

Figure 26: A view of the Coal mine Velenje with coal pile and TEŠ in the background

The TES area with immediate surroundings is dominated by typical urbanized (industrial) landscape. It is characterized by high density (more than 75%) urbanized or built-up areas. The wider area of Lake Druţmirje is dominated by degraded landscape by strong, implying that the


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structure of the original landscape is destroyed. In terms of architectural features of the space it is highly industrial architecture in which buildings of colossal proportions dominate. Because of its strong features the facilities stand out from its surroundings and give a strong character to the area. Because TEŠ is located on the edge of the valley and pressed at the slope of Veliki Vrh, the visual impact of the complex is at least in part limited. Due to its composition and location the TEŠ complex represents a kind of an entry point into the town of Šoštanj. The view of TEŠ from the road to Šoštanj is so interesting that it creates a dominant in the space and the new facilities siting should maintain its spatial role.

The three lakes in the Šaleška Valley are a result of underground mining of lignite. Due to their recent anthropogene emergence, the Šaleška lakes are relatively little known to Slovenian population. With an area over 210 ha they are among the largest in Slovenia. The Šaleška lakes were created for the same reason and in the same way. Spatially close, but interesting also because they vary considerably in a number of characteristics. In accordance with these differences different uses of lakes and their shores are defined and/or planned. The largest of them is Lake Velenje, which is in the surface and volume similar to Lake Bled. Lake Druţmirje is the second regarding the surface and at the same time the deepest lake in Slovenia. The oldest is Lake Škale, where the shores are already reasonably stable and the lake will not expand any further. The Lake Druţmirje serves as a backup source of water for TEŠ, the fluctuation of surface is limited to 1 m.

Mining has had the large negative impacts on soil (erosion) and vegetation, but the largest change or complete destruction befell cultural landscape (loss of some settlements demolished homes of around 1500 people, destruction of infrastructure: roads, sewers, waterworks, electrical transmission lines).

The impact of mining in the area can be summarized as:

- subsidence of the area and creation of lakes; - relief changes: cracked ground surface, consecutive breaks, ground is subsiding up to

12 m (trenches up to 10 m deep); ground is subsiding for 15 to 20 years after the excavation;

- changes in the relief of the sunken area in the Šaleška Valley; - destruction of settlements (Druţmirje, Preloge), or parts of settlements ; - changes in the settlement pattern, road grid and land use in the Šaleška Valley; - shrinking of arable surface, intensification of agriculture and forest clearing (pressure on

forest land); - negative effects on the soil (refraction of surface causes mixing of disintegrated rock

cover, soil erosion) and vegetation; - change of right side tributaries of the Paka river (Lepena, Sopota, Velunja) - they are

not flowing directly into the Paka river anymore, but trough lakes.

The ongoing mining causes further expansion of the lake landscape and thus at present the final transformation of the valley is prevented. As the lakes watered the subsided fertile flat land, they were originally considered as an extremely unpleasant phenomenon. Nowadays, however, extensive water surfaces enable recreational and tourist land use and thus represent an opportunity for development of the Šaleška valley.


The construction of Unit 6 of the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant is planned in the industrial zone of TEŠ. In terms of orientation, the east-west variant was selected. The construction of Unit 6


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will involve the construction of eight facilities or clusters of facilities. During construction the impacts on the landscape features will appear due to construction works that are necessary to demolish the existing facilities, to construct replacement facilities and to construct the necessary infrastructure and new facilities of Unit 6. Construction areas will be visually disturbing, especially on the exposed slopes. The presence of construction machinery will also be disturbing. During construction the extent of construction site must be limited to the area that is necessary and interventions should not be made in the area surrounding the site. Protective fences must be used at the side facing the town of Šoštanj. During operation of TEŠ Unit 6 the cooling tower and the boiler house will be the most visible, especially in relation to the existing structures in the area. That is why a well-planned configuration and design of facilities is necessary, with regard to the existing structural elements in the environment and the composition of existing elements especially from the direction of the town of Šoštanj and other exposed areas. The general influence of the configuration of facilities of Unit 6 (the orientation east-west) on the landscape features will be negligible during the construction and operation if the mitigation measures are taken.

The largest impact of further mining activities on landscape properties and visual qualities will be the extension of lake surface in the valley. Even though the change will be relatively small, compared to the beginning of subsidence era before the World War II when there was no lake in the area, the total lake surface will amount to the largest lake landscape in the country. The end of subsidence phenomena and the lakeshore stabilization after the mine closure will create a large opportunity for development of tourism in the area, which can potentially have a large impact on the landscape. With prudent interventions the altered landscape will improve significantly.



Timely and sustainable spatial planning of the subsidence area and its adjacent areas.

Being the most important element in the development of water tourism, the quality of lake water

is extremely important. Recreation and tourism in natural environment can seriously

jeopardize the intact landscape of water surfaces and its surrounding areas. Therefore, beside

carrying out a gradual and carefully planned transformation of the lake areas there is a need to

remove the undesirable consequences of recreation and tourism. Since the lakes can represent

a development capacity only in the case of their high quality, it is necessary to protect them as

well as to make sustained development plans. Hence, tourism and recreation must develop in

accordance with environment protection.

3.9.4 Monitoring

Monitoring during construction and operation of Unit 6 is not necessary.

3.10 Settlement


The project covers an area which is divided into two municipalities: Šoštanj and Velenje.


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Municipality of Velenje (MOV)

The municipality of Velenje (MOV) is located in the eastern part of the Šaleška Valley. The central part of the municipality is situated on the plain along the Paka River. The entire V-plain of the Šaleška Valley has been urbanized, as over the last 50 years the town has grown and spread to include former settlements and hamlets of Škale, Stara vas, Staro Velenje, Šaleška and Šmartno. There are 18 local communities (KS) and town quarters (MČ) distributed over an area of 83.5 km2. The Municipality of Velenje borders on municipalities of Šoštanj, Polzela, Slovenj Gradec, Mislinja, Dobrna and Ţalec.

The population of the Municipality of Velenje is 33,175 (permanent residents on 11th March 2009): 16,636 men and 16,539 women. There are also 2.513 temporary residents (11th March 2009). The town itself has 26,826 inhabitants (December 31st 2007). Among the residents there are 636 foreign citizens temporarily residing in Slovenia.

The town of Velenje is 5th largest Slovenian town and is the centre of Municipality of Velenje. Strong economy with mayor subjects "Gorenje" (domestic appliances) and "Coal mine Velenje" have been along with the youth of the town the main reasons for relatively pleasant and healthy living conditions. Velenje is also the centre of the Competent Local Government Authority UE Velenje.

In 1931, more than half of the resident population in the Šaleška Valley still lived off the land. Velenje lignite mine and the Šoštanj tannery were two of the reasons, which contributed to the railway being built in the area in 1891 effectively connecting Velenje to Celje; in 1899, the railway link was extended to Dravograd, Carinthia. It was mainly after 1950 that, reflecting increased demand for coal, a need for a modern town became apparent. This new town was supposed to be built in place of initially proposed cottages for numerous miners from the entire former Yugoslavia. The effort resulted in a contemporary, modernistic town with free-standing buildings situated in large green areas. Velenje was awarded town rights on the 20th September 1959. The later town planners did not continue this concept. Nevertheless, the late modernistic character of the town centre is still preserved.

The already adopted planning documents and ongoing development of new town plans and zoning plans provide for utility-serviced lots approved for the construction of buildings for the purposes of cottage industry, factories, shops as well as individual investors. Municipality of Velenje presently makes available – and will continue to do so in the future – about 50 low-income and non-profit housing units to its residents every year. The completion of the proposed national highway cross and the planned construction of the motorway bypass past Velenje will bring the town closer to other parts of Slovenia.

Municipality of Šoštanj

There are 11 settlements in 8 local communities (KS) distributed over an area of 95.6 km2. Šoštanj is a town and a center of the municipality of the same name. The population of the Municipality of Šoštanj is 8.609 (31st December 2007). The town itself has 2952 inhabitants.

The former glory is shown by individual buildings. Above the town there is a ruin of the Šoštanj castle from the 12th century. Under it lies the most impressive building in Šoštanj, the Turn mansion, which was originally a castle granary, and was in 1734 rebuilt as an aristocratic residence. The oldest building in Šoštanj is the church of St. Mohor, which was built in year 1300, its present appearance is from the 18th century.

The 18th century was the begining of zinc and lead ore site utilization in the vicinity Šoštanj, which represents the first attempt of introduction of industrial production in this area. Mineral exploration was done by the companies Blei-, Silber-und Galmei - Untersuchungsbau zu Schönstein, which was founded in 1776 and from the mid-19th century onward the Coal


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Company of Zagorje ob Savi. Since 1874 the mine was owned by public treasury, in 1877 a zinc and lead smelting furnace was built by the Paka River, which operated until the World War I. The major development since the end of 18th Šoštanj century was linked to the family Vošnjak which opened in Šoštanj the first leather workshop in 1788, which in the early 20th century grew into one of the largest leather plants in Europe. The development of leather industry and the impact of family Vošnjak led to the town rights which were awarded to Šoštanj on 28th of June 1911. After the Second World War the leather as the leading production activity was replaced by production of electricity. In 1956 the thermal-electricity plant was built, which is today the largest thermal energy power plant in Slovenia.

Topolšica is an important spa and health resort. The area of Topolšica is rich in sources of drinking and thermal water. Water from Topolšica supplies drinking water to Šoštanj Municipality, the Municipality of Velenje and TEŠ, thermal water (with a temperature 32° C) is the basis of spa tourism.

3.10.2 Social impact

During the construction of TEŠ Unit 6 following impacts on settlement may occur: - construction will have the largest direct and indirect impact on residents of Aškerčeva

street and Levstikova street; - due to spatial needs of the TES some adjacent land and buildings will have to be bought

(change of land use, potentially demolition); - industrial area will expand into the residential area;

- problems with transport - the access of inhabitants of especially on Aškerčeva and Levstikova streets to residential buildings and agricultural land will be difficult. Also to some facilities in Lokovica (particularly in the event that the road between Šoštanj (Aškerčeva street) - Lokovica will be closed);

- increase in noise, vibrations and air pollution due to the transport of all types of material

- reduced value of surrounding real estate due to construction.

With implementation of mitigation measures the impact during construction of TEŠ Unit 6 on directly to affected areas is assessed as moderate and in other areas as small. During the operation Unit 6 Šoštanj the following impacts are expected to occur:

- typical settlement pattern, i.e. type of settlement will remain unchanged, but at least some areas of the settlement will remain curtailed;

- the real estate value of certain areas (plots, accommodation and other facilities) will be diminished;

- introduction of modern technologies will reduce air pollution (SO2, NOX).

The demographic characteristics of the area (type of household, age structure, share of

commuters, etc.) will not be affected and jobs will be preserved.

The impact on the settlement is a mix of direct and indirect impacts. Despite the fact that some of the projected impacts of the operation are positive, it is estimated that with implementation mitigation measures the impact in directly affected areas and other areas will be small. The impact of further mining activities on settlement will be similar as it is today. The recent practice of real estate acquisition is as follows:

The basis for the commencement of land acquisition process is long-term coal digging plan in Coal mine Velenje. The area to be subjected to vertical ground movement is defined by drawing of predicted (calculated) movements on cadastral map. With the scale of the movement risks to buildings and agricultural land are determined. Information on the owners of land is gained from the official register of land and they are contacted via the "Mining damage service" and through


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legal services of the Coal mine Velenje. An agreement on the purchase or sale of real estate is reached through discussions with owners and by official real estate appraisal. The Coal mine Velenje ensures a new location for the construction of houses to owners who are to be relocated, and builds the houses if necessary. Owners may decide to build themselves, this is a matter of their decision. In current practice (the relocation of over 300 residential houses and farms) PV did not come into any conflicts with the owners, which needed to be resolved in court.

At the moment all of the land in the coal exploitation area is already bought so new resettlement is not planned.

The increase of the lakes will prevent future settlement in the area that will be flooded until the end of Coal mine operation. The vicinity of the lakes will on the other hand increase settlement potential on the new (stabilized) lake shores due to attractive views and recreation possibilities. The settlement here is used as a broad term and it includes beside residential areas, recreation and tourist buildings and facilities as well. New development on the lake shores and in the vicinity could increase the population and change the demographic characteristics in the area.

3.10.3 Mitigating measures


3.10.4 Monitoring


Continuation of current environmental monitoring and subsidence monitoring programs is necessary for identification of potential environmental problems, which can affect present settlement or potential future settlement, and enables timely reactions in the form of suitable mitigation measures.

3.11 Economy


Municipality of Velenje

The economic potential of the municipality is represented by 435 companies and 724 small and medium sized entrepreneurs. Most or 94.7% of companies are small, 2.5% are medium and 2.8% are large companies. The proportion of small and medium sized companies has been slightly increasing, but the structure still deviates from the Slovenian average. Despite the relatively large number of small companies, the largest impact on the business results comes from the large and medium sized companies. Principal activities are manufacturing, with the majority of machinery and equipment production, followed by mining and energy, commerce, construction and service activities.

The companies employ 17,154 employees, the number decreased by 1% compared to the previous year. Large companies employ close to 80 % of all employees in the municipality, of which the largest share are employed in manufacturing: 57.8%, commerce: 11.8 %, mining: 11.5 %, construction: 7.8 %, real estate and business services: 6 %, catering: 1.9 %, the remaining employees are scattered throughout other activities.


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Overview of the companies that employ most workers: Gorenje Appliances Inc., Velenje Coal Mine Inc., Gorenje Furnishing Ltd, Vegrad Inc., HTZ Ltd., Gorenje, IPC Ltd.

Most of the total revenue is generated by large companies in the activities of mining, energy, industry and construction with 74 %, thereby exceeding the Slovenian average by almost 30 percentage points.

According to the share of total revenues generated the manufacturing industry is growing: 56 %, construction also: 8 %, the share of mining (5.8 %) is slightly decreasing, the share of trade is also slightly decreasing: 18 %. Proportion of business consultancy and services has increased to 5.8 %, catering and tourism to 1 %, other services and activities remain in the same proportion of 1 %.

In comparison with the Slovenian average: the companies in the municipality create, with 4.4 % of employees in relation to all employees in Slovenian companies: 4.0 % of value added, 1.8 % of the profits, 6 % of exports and 1.4 % of the total Slovenian loss.

In October 2008 1,653 persons were unemployed.

Municipality of Šoštanj

The municipality has 2.171 employed persons, of which 385 persons are self-employed, 192 are farmers, 183 are entrepreneurs. 290 persons are unemployed.


At the moment TEŠ directly employs 508 workers and approx. 200 workers are employed within contracting companies. At the end of 2008 TEŠ had had 81 scholarship holders. Over 80 % of TEŠ employees live in municipalities of Šoštanj and Velenje. Planned close down of older units won‘t result in loss of jobs. Some of the surplus workers will retire, others will be retrained and employed in operation of Unit 6. Some extra workers will need to be employed as well. On 31st August 2009 the Coal mine Velenje employed 1424 workers, companies in which Velenje Coal mine holds majority share employed further 1148 workers and other capital associated companies 172 workers. The future plans of Coal mine Velenje show that the number of employees that has been decreasing in the past 20 years will decrease further. The planned number of employees in the period 2009-2013 is 1259 and in the period 2014-2018 is 1131. The surplus workers will retire or be employed in capitally connected companies. New employment is planned as well. At the peak of construction activities at Unit 6 there will be approx. 1,300 construction workers on site. Most of them will probably come from outside the region, but some of the jobs could be taken over by local companies. After the year 2018 the Coal mine Velenje will employ 1100 workers, in the year 2054 the number of employees will be 600. It has been estimated11 that the operation of TEŠ Unit 6 will create 1,050 new employments in Coal mine Velenje and further 1,500 in capital associated companies (a long term total of 2,550 workers). Without Unit 6 the Coal mine would employ 500 workers in the year 2025 (closure works) and thus at least 2,000 working places would be lost. Construction and operation of new Unit 6 of TPP Šoštanj will not significantly affect the transformation of economic structure of the Šaleška region. Some additional opportunities for

11

Premogovnik Velenje, September 2009


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employment of workers during construction are to be expected, while operation would not affect the present rate of employment. However, premature shutdown of the TEŠ, due to omission of Unit 6, and thus the premature closing of the Coal mine Velenje would have a large impact on employment situation in the region as a whole. The prolonged period of the mine and thermal power plant operation will also represent a chance of more gradual and less stressful adaptation to new conditions without two of important economic activities in the area. Rehabilitation of surface depressions along the lakes and other areas at present offers a range of options to potential investors for the construction of tourist facilities, and facilities for recreation and entertainment, and will continue to do so in the future. The expansion of the lakes will represent an excellent opportunity for development of tourism and recreation in the area which will facilitate new jobs and further economic development of the area after the mining is finished in the Šaleška Valley.

3.11.3 Mitigating measures

In the times of recession TEŠ and the Coal mine Velenje represent long term secure job opportunities, so construction and operation of TEŠ Unit 6 and further operation of Coal mine Velenje are in itself an important mitigation measure.

Sustainable development of tourism and recreation to provide new jobs and avoid environmental impact, which could decrease or even jeopardize tourist and recreation potential (and revenue from it) in the area, is suggested.

Cooperation with educational institutions in the area to ensure adequately skilled workers of desired profiles, which will cover the future need for working force in companies.

3.11.4 Monitoring

Monitoring (identification) of future needs for various professions in the local companies.

3.12 Quality of living


Quality of living environment

Public opinion of the quality of environment and living conditions in the Šaleška Valley was studied in the paper: Inhabitants‘ response to the local environment and its problems in the case of the Šaleška Valley and the Zasavje region (Šalej, M. et alia, 2002). Basic conclusions were:

- The inhabitants of the Šaleška Valley are very critical toward their environment, but they are basically satisfied with it (62.4 %). The main problem in the region is air pollution and problems linked with it. The second problem by inhabitants‘ points of view is traffic density in the Šaleška Valley. The positive changes, in the inhabitants‘ viewpoint, in the last time were made with the sanitation and recultivation of subsidence surface. Main achievement was made in the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant (Šaleška Valley) with the desulphurization device to purify the chimney stack gases.

A public opinion research was carried out among Šoštanj inhabitants in May 2009 (ERICo, 2009). Based on the results, only 13% of the interviewed people had some concerns about the Power Plant modernization project. Šoštanj residents perceive TEŠ as an environmentally-


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concerned company and, comparing the results with a previous opinion survey carried out in 2000, positive changes in the environment have been perceived.

TEŠ activities in the field of environment are perceived as good, and only about 25 % of the people interviewed believe these activities are insufficient. Among positive effects of TEŠ, interviewed people put in the first place the economic aspect of employment in TEŠ. In general, more than 60 % of the interviewed people think that Šoštanj has large or very large benefits from TEŠ operation.

Daycare and education

The Municipality of Velenje provides various forms of education to its residents and residents of the nearby municipalities. The daycare (kindergarten) center Velenje has 3 organizational units which operate on 12 locations distributed throughout the municipality. 1069 children were included in daycare (year 2008/2009). In the municipality there are 6 primary schools (900 children enrolled in school year 2004/2005), two school centers: Learning, Education and Training Centre Velenje and School center Velenje, Environmental Protection College, People's University and a music school (primary level). The School center Velenje includes 5 secondary schools, a college, a student home and an inter-company training center. In the school year 2007/2008 there were 33 secondary school educational programs and 5 college educational programs carried out in the School center Velenje. 2120 secondary school students and 740 college students were included in those programs. The Environmental Protection College had 95 students included in its education program. In the Municipality of Šoštanj there are 5 kindergarten units and a primary school with 4 units, with school bus connections to 17 settlements / hamlets. Health and welfare

There are numerous institutions providing welfare and health services to the residents, as follows: the Velenje medical centre, the Velenje pharmacy, The ZZVS national health insurance institution, the ZPIZ national pension and disability pension institution, the Velenje welfare centre, the Velenje adult day care centre, Red Cross of Slovenia, the Velenje regional association, the SAŠA care and work centre, the Velenje care and work centre, and the inter-community association for the prevention of drug addiction.

In the immediate vicinity of Velenje (in Topolšica) there are also the Topolšica hospital and numerous health and welfare societies.

Recreation possibilities

The Šalek lakes offer excellent conditions for developing various forms of recreation. The relatively clear water, warm enough in summer for swimming will be even more interesting in the future. The water surfaces offer great opportunities for boating and surfing. Most tourist recreational facilities are on the shores of Lake Velenje and Lake Škale, while the shores of Lake Druţmirje don't have such facilities except fishing huts. The lakes are the most interesting for the people of the Šaleška Valley. With appropriate arrangements there is a potential for visitors from the rest of Slovenia and abroad. The local green areas also provide a lot of recreation opportunities.

Protection and rescue

Fire fighting in the Šaleška Valley has a long tradition. The Firefighting Association of Velenje today covers an area of the Municipality of Velenje and municipalities of Šoštanj and Šmartno by Paka. It brings together 14 voluntary fire associations in the three municipalities and the professional firefighting unit of Gorenje. The union has a membership of around 3000 members,


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800 of which are operational firefighters. Firefighting Association represents a connection between the firefighting societies, the local communities and the local economy.

Fire Fighting is based on interconnection of professionalism and volunteering. The main tasks are rescue and education and training. On average the firefighters of the Frefighting Association Velenje rescues people, animals and property 200-times a year. The task of firefighters is also to provide the citizens with drinking water during the droughts and in areas where water supply is not built.

Information accessibility

Municipality of Velenje (www.velenje.si) and Municipality of Šoštanj (www.sostanj.si) have internet home pages where they publish information important for their inhabitants. Velenje has two other internet media (www.velenje.com, www.velenje.com) and Šoštanj has an information portal (www.sostanj.info).

Beside state-wide media, there are several local media present in the area. The printed media in Velenje are: a weekly magazine Naš čas, 5 company gazettes (Rudar (PV), Črno na Belem and Pika na G (Gorenje), Infotech (Esotech), ERA), Gazette of the Trade Chamber, Gazette of Students Association, two Gazettes of School center Velenje, Gazette of the local handball club Gorenje, correspondence office of state-wide daily newspaper Dnevnik. Electronic media are: regional TV station (VTV Studio), Radio Velenje, Moj Radio, photo/press agency Video press Velenje and correspondence office of TV Slovenija.

TEŠ and Coal mine Velenje (PV) have their internet homepages (www.te-sostanj.si, www.premogovnikvelenje.si). Beside periodical information there are also some special events for information dissemination.

TEŠ informed the public about the Power Plant modernization project on January 20th 2009. Their focus was specifically on the residents who live near power plant. In addition to meeting invitations a brochure about the project was sent to their homes. During the open house day a round table was organized for the residents of Šoštanj, which was organized together with the Council of the Šoštanj Local Community. Vilma Fece, KS Šoštanj Council President and Director of TES, Uroš Rotnik Ph.D. participated in the discussion. They both agreed that it is an extremely important project for the entire country, as well as for the Company and the local residents, therefore the communication is all the more necessary and desirable.

The Velenje Coal Mine held a public debate about its activities in the Municipality of Šoštanj on 9th of September 2009 in Villa Široko.


Modernisation of the Šoštanj Thermal power plant will undoubtedly intervene on the existing living environment. The direct vicinity (the directly affected area) and the population living in the direct vicinity of the construction site (parts of the Aškerčeva and Levstikova street) will be negatively affected (dust, noise, vibrations, presence of large numbers of construction workers, transport-related issues, visual perception, devaluation of building plots and dwelling houses also during operation, etc.), especially during the 4 year construction period. From the viewpoint of wider environment (local population), the negative impacts will be less intensive, at least during the construction phase. The impacts of the construction at the local level will undoubtedly be negative. Taking into consideration the mitigation measures the impacts on living quality of the environment during the construction are assessed as moderate.

Some residents of Šoštanj have already voiced a concern regarding their safety due to large number of construction workers (1,300 at the peak of construction activities). The current

http://www.velenje.si/

http://www.sostanj.si/

http://www.velenje.com/

http://www.velenje.com/

http://www.sostanj.info/

http://www.te-sostanj.si/

http://www.premogovnikvelenje.si/


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practice shows that a significant number of workers on the large construction sites across the country come from other countries and those workers often have poor or no knowledge of local language and customs. The number of police officers is suppose to increase during construction period, but that alone may not be enough to maintain good living conditions for residents and good working and also living conditions for the construction workers. Some sort of consultation body with representatives of TEŠ, municipalities, local residents, police force, contractors and construction workers, which will monitor situation and resolve potential problems before they escalate, will probably have to be organized.

A committee for modernization of TEŠ with representatives of TEŠ, Municipality of Šoštanj and residents already exists. Some planning regarding logistics of workers, their housing, transport, maximizing the fluidity of traffic, parking, etc. has already been done. Together with the municipality TEŠ will continue in this direction in the future.

Due to mining and the subsequent need for workforce a fairly nationally mixed population (workers from ex Yugoslavia) is present in the area. In such environments introduction of workers of other nationalities is usually less problematic than in a nationally homogenous environments. However a great care has to be taken in order to prevent conflicts between residents and newcomers.

After construction works completion, the positive effects connected with the modernisation plant project will arise, especially the preservation of jobs, reduction of pollution (SO2, NOX, etc.) and noise owing to the use of modern technologies. The construction of the new unit is acceptable, provided that measures are taken that will mitigate the negative impacts on the living quality of the area to the fullest extent possible. Next to technical measures, communication with the public and its cooperation before as well as during construction is necessary. This applies especially to the (relatively small) group of the most affected population, whose land and dwelling houses are expected to lose value due to the intervention. The fact is that in this case as well as in other similar cases, the most important thing is an honest and fair dialogue between all parties involved who are ready to listen to the opinion of others and find a consensus solution.

Taking into consideration the mitigation measures, the impacts on living quality of the environment during the operation of Unit 6 are assessed as small.

Both TEŠ and the Coal mine Velenje contribute to the local communities through their support of local cultural and sports associations and involvement in local projects. On the basis of concession contract for the commercial exploitation of mineral resources in the mine exploitation area (signed in early 2002) the Coal mine Velenje annually also pays concession dues for the previous year. The division of the paid concession dues is as following: 50 percent go to the Republic of Slovenia and 50 percent to the local community (distributed in the proportion of exploitation area surface covered by certain local community. The surface of the exploitation area is divided between the municipality of Velenje (48.3 %) and the municipality Šoštanj (51.7 %). 12 The continuation of mine operation will assure financial contribution to both municipalities for the next 45 years. The funds will be used for improvement of local public infrastructure and thus have beneficial impact on quality of life in the area. Further development of recreation facilities in the extended lake area will have beneficial impact on quality of living conditions as well.

12

http://www.hse.si/novice?id=12


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Establishment of consultation body with representatives of TEŠ, municipalities, local residents, police force, contractors and construction workers, which will monitor situation and resolve potential problems before they escalate. Some sort of translation service in case of language barriers would also be very useful.

3.12.4 Monitoring



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4. Confirmation that the power plant and associated operations (including mines) are designed to meet EU IPPC requirements for the sector

The Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant (TPP) as large-scale energy production plant is bound to comply with the provisions of the IPPC directive on integrated pollution prevention and control (Council Directive 2008/1/EC). Šoštanj TPP as major source of emission also has major obligation in fulfilling national requirements concerning reduced emission of sulphuric dioxide, sulphuric oxides and solid particles. By reducing the dust emission, the emission of heavy metals is also reduced. The development strategy of the Šoštanj TPP is taking into account all the environmental aspects related to the reduction of the environmental pollution.

Construction of the planned Unit 6 at Šoštanj TPP, with a capacity of 600 MW, which will replace the existing old Units and the out-dated technology, is part of the strategy plan of the Šoštanj TPP oriented toward increasing of the electric energy production, in line with the Resolution on the National Energy Program (Official Gazette of RS, No. 57/2004) and in line with the Ordinance on the strategy of the Spatial Planning (Official Gazette of RS, No. 76/2004), which provides for further development of electric energy production on the area of present location. The selected technology for operation of the Unit 6 of the Šoštanj TPP is considered to be eligible BAT technology which is used in the process of coal firing as primary energy source in production of electric energy, and assures high efficiency and operation within the applicable regulations. In that context the technology of pulverized coal combustion (PCC) with the ultra super critical parameters of fresh steam is selected for operation of the Unit 6. PCC technology also includes all treatment plants for gas cleaning except removal of CO2. By implementing this BAT technology, one of the main objectives of Unit 6 construction will be achieved, i.e. the reduction of specific carbon dioxide emissions (tCO2/MWh) in electricity production, in particular on account of higher efficiency of the selected technology which should reach approx. 43 %.

Technical description of existing large combustion plants, the planned Unit 6 and pulverized coal combustion technology description are given in the existing EIA (EIMV, July 2009).

4.1 Preliminary BAT Assessment of planned operations at the TPP Šoštanj

4.1.1 Reference document on BAT for large combustion plants

Reference document on best available techniques (BAT) for large combustion plants (BREF-LCP)13 deals with combustion installations with a rated thermal input exceeding 50 MW. All kinds of conventional power plants (e.g. utility boiler plants, combined heat and power plants, district heating plants) used for mechanical power and heat generation are covered in this work.

The modernisation project provides the Unit 6 to replace the older Units 1, 2, 3 and 4 by the BAT technology with higher efficiencies conforming to contemporary goals of energy strategy. With Unit 6 operation, only Units 5 and 6 will be in regular operation within TEŠ and Unit 4 will remain as cold reserve.

Technology of pulverized coal combustion (PCC) and flue gas cleaning representing the appropriate BAT technology for coal firing in large combustion plants is presented in the EU document dealing with best available technologies (BAT) in the area of reduction of emissions of substances into the atmosphere. The document lists BAT emission values for both existing and new plants.

13

BREF-LCP: Reference Document on Best Available Techniques for Large Combustion Plants, July 2006


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Table 28: BAT Emission Values for SO2

Capacity (MWhth)

Combustion technology

BAT emission values for

SO2 (mg/Nm3) BAT options for the

achievement of these values

Possibilities of use Monitoring New power

plants Existing power

plants

> 300 PC 20-150(1) 20-200

(2)

Fuel with low sulphur content. FGD plant Sea-water scrubbers. Combined technologies of SO2 and NOx reduction

New and existing power plants

Continuous

Key:

PC - pulverised coal FGD - flue gas desulphurisation plant

Proposals from the industry and some member states: 1 upper value 200 (mg/Nm

3)

2 upper value 400 (mg/Nm

3)

2 limit values comply with limit values of individual member states of the EU

Table 29: BAT Emission Values for NOx

Capacity (MWhth)

Combustion technology

BAT emission values for

NOx (mg/Nm3)

Fuel BAT options for the

achievement of these values

Possibilities of use Monitoring New power

plants Existing

power plants

> 300 PC

90-150 90-200(1) coal

Combination of primary measures in combination with SCR or combined technologies


Continuous

50-200(2)

50-200(3)

lignite Combination of primary measures


Continuous

Key:

PC (pulverised coal) – premog v prahu SCR (selective catalytic reduction) – selektivna katalitička redukcija

Proposals from the industry and some member states: 2

range 100 - 200 (mg/Nm3)

3 value range 100 - 450 (mg/Nm

3)

1 , 3 , 4 lower limit for the range 100 (mg/Nm

3); for existing plants over 300 MW, the proposed range is 100 – 650 (mg/Nm

3)


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Table 30: BAT Emission Values for Dust

Capacity (MWhth)

BAT emission values for Particulate matter (mg/Nm

3) BAT options for achivements of

these values Possibilities of use Monitoring New power plants Existing power plants

> 300 5-20(1)

5-20(1)

ESP or bag filters in

combination with flue gas desulphurisation for PC


Continuous

Key: ESP - electrostatic precipitator PC - pulverised coal

Proposals from the industry and some member states: 1

range 10 - 30 (mg/Nm3)

BAT Emission Values for CO

BAT for reducing of CO emissions is total combustion.

BAT values for PC is 30 - 50 (mg/Nm3).

For lignite fired combustion plants, where the listed primary measures for NOX reduction, the BAT values can be higher, 100 - 200 (mg/Nm3).

BAT Emission Values for Other Pollutants

The level of hydrogen fluoride (HF) and hydrogen chloride (HCl) in flue gases is reduced by facilities which are primarily intended for SO2 reduction. In the event that the facility has an installed flue gas desulphurisation plant, the levels of these two compounds in flue gases are as follows:

HCl 1-10 (mg/Nm3)

HF 1-5 (mg/Nm3)

From combustion plants with an installed SCR system, NH3 emissions are released. As BAT of the emission value for NH3, the NH3 concentration is lower than 5 (mg/Nm3) in this case.

Estimation of emissions discharged into the atmosphere from units 3, 4, 5 and 6 and the gas turbines in TPP Šoštanj

In EIA (EIMV, July 2009) an annual emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), dust, carbon dioxide (CO2), ammonia (NH3), chlorides and fluorides are estimated. The estimation is based on the knowledge of consumed amounts of lignite and/or natural gas, its specific volume of flue gases and, for each individual pollutant, its prescribed emission limit value and/or predicted concentration in the operation period.

For the purpose of calculation of emissions of other pollutants into the atmosphere from Units 3, 4, 5 and 6 and from gas turbines, emission limit values and predicted emission concentrations indicated by measured emission concentrations for individual units and predicted emission concentrations proven as environmental acceptable by modeling process of external air quality in the time of operation of Unit 5 and 6.

In EIA (EIMV, July, 2009) calculated emissions of individual substances into the atmosphere are given at an hourly level, at 100 %, 90 % and 50 % load of the unit. Emissions are calculated at different predicted hours of operation during the year (minimum, maximum and average number of hours/year) and at different levels of coal consumption at an annual level (minimum,


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maximum and average). In the event of failure of the purification plant (FGD, DENOx, electrostatic precipitator and combustion regulation failure), the contribution of 120 hours of legally permitted operation without purification plants has been calculated. Specific emission of each individual unit has been calculated and expressed in t/TWh.

Emissions of Sulphur Oxides

The new Uni t 6 wi l l have an insta l led FGD plant which will provide operation in accordance with the regulations for large combustion plants. Unit 6 will use BAT technology of wet flue gas desulphurisation using calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The technology has already been tested on the existing Units 4 and 5 and it ensures efficient flue gas cleaning procedure.

Estimated emissions of sulphur dioxide in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5, 6 and the gas turbine are in Table 147 of EIA (EIMV, July 2009). :

Estimated emissions of sulphur dioxide in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5, 6 and the gas turbine are less than BAT emission values.

Table 31: Estimated emissions of sulphur dioxide in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5, 6 and the gas turbine

emission limit values proposed concent.* FGD failure **

400 310 6000

load % t/hour

100 44 73 57

90 39 66 51

50 22 37 28

max. 558 935 725

mean 249 417 323

min. 38 64 49

2,146 1,324

Unit 3

SO2 concentracion [mg/Nm3]

SO2 emission [kg/hour]

1000 ton coal/year SO2 emission [t/year]

132

Specific SO2 emission at 100% load

t/TWh

* average SO2 concentration on Unit 4 in the period 2000-2007

** the maximum annual operation of LCP without desulphurisation plants in the case of defect, disturbance or failure is 120 hours

emission limit values proposed concent.* FGD failure **

400 310 6000

load % t/hour

100 259 433 336

90 233 390 302

50 129 217 168

max. 1755 2942 2280

mean 1397 2342 1815

min. 112 188 146

1,896 1,324

Unit 4

SO2 concentracion [mg/Nm3]

SO2 emission [kg/hour]


780


t/TWh

* average SO2 concentration on Unit 4 in the period 2000-2007



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Unit 5

SO2 concentration [mg/Nm3]

Emission limit

value

proposed

concentration*

FGD plant

failure**

400 200 6000

load % t/hour SO2 emission [kgl/hour]

100 322 539 269

90 289 485 243

50 161 269 135

hours/year SO2 emission at 100 % load [t/year]

max. 3583 1931 965

970 Mean 3034 1635 818

min. 1250 674 337


max. 3583 1738 869

873 Mean 3034 1472 736

min. 1250 606 303


max. 3583 965 483

485 Mean 3034 818 409

min. 1250 337 168


max. 1953 3274 1637

970 Mean 1153 1933 967

min. 375 629 314


t/TWh 1,708 0,854

* input data in model calculation of concentration of substances from sources of pollution into the atmosphere (Mlakar et.al.2009) ** the maximum annual operation of large combustion plants without treatment plants in the case of defect, disturbance or failure is 120 hours

Unit 6

SO2 concentration [mg/Nm 3]

Emission limit value

proposed

concentration*

FGD plant

failure**

200 100 6000

load % t/hour SO2 emission [kgl/hour]

100 444 372 186

90 400 335 168

50 222 186 93


max. 7111 2647 1324

1340 Mean 5752 2141 1071

min. 4444 1654 827


max. 7111 2382 1191

1206 Mean 5752 1927 964

min. 4444 1489 744


max. 7111 1324 662

670 Mean 5752 1071 535

min. 4444 827 414


max. 3200 2682 1341 1340


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Mean 2588 2169 1084

min. 2000 1676 838


t/TWh 0,681 0,340

* the maximum annual operation of large combustion plants without treatment plants in the case of defect, disturbance or failure

is 120 hours

Gas turbine

SO2 concentration [mg/Nm3]

Emission limit value proposedconcentration*

11 5

load % Sm3/uro SO2 emission [kgl/hour]

100 24718 9 4

90 22246 8 4

50 13732 5 2

hours/year SO2 emission at100 % load [t/year]

max. 4479 39 18

Mean 3793 33 15

min. 1562 14 6


max. 4479 36 16

Mean 3793 30 14

min. 1562 12 6


max. 4479 22 10

Mean 3793 19 8

min. 1562 8 3

Mm3/YEAR SO2 emission [t/year]

max. 153,1 55 25

Mean 106,0 38 17

min. 39,1 14 6


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ESTIMATED EMISSIONS OF SULFUR DIOXIDE FROM TPP ŠOŠTANJ

PERIOD 2008-2050

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

2029

2030

2031

2032

2033

2034

2035

2036

2037

2038

2039

2040

2041

2042

2043

2044

2045

2046

2047

2048

2049

2050

year

Em

issi

on

(t)

Unit 1,3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 GT

Figure 27: Estimated emissions of sulphur dioxide in TPP in the period 2008 – 2050


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Emission of Nitrogen Oxides

For the new unit, technology with modern burners with staged air addition has been proposed, providing emission NOX concentrations that will be below 400 mg/Nm3 at the point of exiting the boiler. Between the boiler and air heater, the facility for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOX will be installed, where decomposition of NOX into N2 and H2O will be achieved by adding aqueous solution of ammonia (NH3) in the catalysts. With the mentioned technology, NOX level will decrease below the prescribed amount of 200 mg/Nm3.

By the year 2016, Unit 5 will also be required to be equipped with the facility for selective catalytic reduction of NOX. Therefore, the prescribed limit value of 200 mg/Nm3 was considered in estimation of emissions after that year.

Estimated emissions of nitrogen oxides in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5, 6 and the gas turbine are in Table 148 of existing EIA (EIMV, July 2009). .

Table 32: Estimated emissions of sulphur diokside in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5, 6 and the gas turbine

emission limit values proposed concent. primary regulation failure*

500 500 1300

load % t/hour

100 44 92 92

90 39 82 82

50 22 46 46

max. 558 1169 1169

mean 249 521 521

min. 38 80 80

2,682 2,135

Unit 3

NOx concentracion [mg/Nm3]

NOx emission [kg/hour]

1000 ton coal/year NOx emission [t/year]

29

Specific emission NOx emission at 100% load

t/TWh

* the maximum annual operation of LCP without desulphurisation plants in the case of defect, disturbance or failure is 120 hours

emission limit values proposed concent.** primary regulation failure*

500 485 1300

load % t/hour

100 259 542 526

90 233 488 473

50 129 271 263

max. 1755 3678 3567

mean 1397 2927 2839

min. 112 235 228

2,370 2,071

Unit 4




29

Specific NOx emission at 100% load

t/TWh


** average NOx concentration in 2007


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500 450 1300

load % t/hour

100 322 674 606

50 161 337 303

max. 3583 2414 2172

mean 3034 2044 1840

min. 1250 842 758

max. 3583 2172 1955

mean 3034 1840 1656

min. 1250 758 682

max. 3583 1207 1086

mean 3034 1022 920

min. 1250 421 379

max. 1953 4092 3683

mean 1153 2416 2175

min. 375 786 707

2,135 1,921


200 200 1300

load % t/hour

100 322 269 269

90 289 243 243

50 161 135 135

max. 3583 965 965

mean 3034 818 818

min. 1250 337 337

max. 3583 869 869

mean 3034 736 736

min. 1250 303 303

max. 3583 483 483

mean 3034 409 409

min. 1250 168 168

max. 1953 1637 1637

mean 1153 967 967

min. 375 314 314

0,854 0,854

Unit 5

NOx concentracion until 31.12.2015 [mg/Nm3]


90 289 606 546

hours/year NOx emission at 100 % load [t/year]

210


189


105


210


t/TWh

Unit 5

NOx concentracion after 1.1.2016 [mg/Nm3]


** average NOx concentration from October to December 2007



210


189


105


210


t/TWh


** input data in model calculation of concentration of substances from sources of pollution into the atmosphere (Mlakar et.al.2009)


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emission limit values proposed concent.** DeNOx failure*

200 150 1300

load % t/hour

100 444 372 279

90 400 335 251

50 222 186 140

max. 7111 2647 1985

mean 5752 2141 1606

min. 4444 1654 1241

max. 7111 2382 1787

mean 5752 1927 1445

min. 4444 1489 1117

max. 7111 1324 993

mean 5752 1071 803

min. 4444 827 620

max. 3200 2682 2011

mean 2588 2169 1627

min. 2000 1676 1257

0,681 0,511

emission limit values proposed concent.

50 50

load % Natural gas; Sm3/uro

100 24.718 40 40

90 22.246 36 36

50 13.732 22,2 22,2

hours/year

max. 4479 179 179

povp. 3793 152 152

min. 1562 63 63

hours/year

max. 4479 161 161

povp. 3793 137 137

min. 1562 56 56

hours/year

max. 4479 100 100

povp. 3793 84 84

min. 1562 35 35

max. 153,1 248 248

povp. 106 172 172

min. 39,1 63 63

Unit 6




290


261


145


290


t/TWh

Gas turbine



NOx emission at 100 % load [t/year]



Natural gas; Mm3/YEAR NOx emision [t/year]




Page 75 of 97

Estimated emissions of nitrogen oxides in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5, 6 and the gas turbine are less than BAT emission values.

ESTIMATED EMISSIONS OF NITROGEN OXIDES FROM TPP ŠOŠTANJ

PERIOD 2008-2050

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

2029

2030

2031

2032

2033

2034

2035

2036

2037

2038

2039

2040

2041

2042

2043

2044

2045

2046

2047

2048

2049

2050

year

Em

issi

on

(t)


Figure 28: Estimated emissions of nitrogen oxides in TPP in the period 2008 – 2050

Emission of Particulate Matter and Heavy Metals

Emission of particulate matter from the new unit will reach emissions concentrations below 30 mg/Nm3 at the point of exiting the electrostatic precipitator and/or below 20 mg/Nm3 at the point of exiting from the desulphurisation plant.

Emissions of particulate matter from other auxiliary facilities (limestone flour storage facility, ash storage facility, gypsum storage facility, coal transport facilities) will comply with current regulations and recommendations of the BREF document for large combustion plants.

The use of electrostatic precipitator and flue gas desulphurisation plant will provide emission concentrations of particulate matter below 20 mg/Nm3, which also provides low concentrations of heavy metals.

Estimated emissions of particulate matter in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5, 6 and the gas turbine are in Table 149 of existing EIA (EIMV, July 2009). .

Estimated emissions of particulate matter in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5, 6 and the gas turbine are less than BAT emission values.


Page 76 of 97

Table 33: Estimated emissions of particulate matter in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5, 6 and the gas turbine

emission limit values proposed concent.* ESP failure**

50 45 250

load % t/hour

100 44 9 8

90 39 8 7

50 22 5 4

max. 558 117 105

mean 249 52 47

min. 38 8 7

0,268 0,192

emission limit values predvidena koncentracija * ESP failure**

50 25 250

load % t/hour

100 259 54 27

90 233 49 24

50 129 27 14

max. 1755 368 184

mean 1397 293 146

min. 112 23 12

0,237 0,107

emission limit values proposed concent.* ESP failure**

50 10 250

load % t/hour

100 322 67 13

90 289 61 12

50 161 34 7

max. 3583 241 48

mean 3034 204 41

min. 1250 84 17

max. 3583 217 43

mean 3034 184 37

min. 1250 76 15

max. 3583 121 24

mean 3034 102 20

min. 1250 42 8

max. 1953 409 82

mean 1153 242 48

min. 375 79 16

0,213 0,043

Unit 3

Particulate matter concentracion [mg/Nm3]

Particulate matter emission [kg/hour]

1000 ton coal/year Particulate matter emission [t/year]

5

Specific particulate matter emission at 100% load

t/TWh

Unit 5




33


hours/year Particulate matter emission at 100 % load [t/leto]

40


36


20

1000 ton coal/year Particulate matter emission [t/leto]

40


t/TWh

* input data in model calculation of concentration of substances from sources of pollution into the atmosphere (Mlakar et.al.2009)


* average particulate matter concentration in the period 2000-2007


* average particulate matter concentration in the period 2000-2007


t/TW h

Unit 4




Page 77 of 97

emission limit values proposed concent.** ESP failure**

30 20 250

load % t/hour

100 444 56 37

90 400 50 34

50 222 28 19

max. 7111 397 265

mean 5752 321 214

min. 4444 248 165

max. 7111 357 238

mean 5752 289 193

min. 4444 223 149

max. 7111 199 132

mean 5752 161 107

min. 4444 124 83

max. 3200 402 268

mean 2588 325 217

min. 2000 251 168

0,102 0,068


2 1


100 24.718 1,6 0,8

90 22.246 1,4 0,7

50 13.732 0,9 0,4

max. 4479 7 4

mean 3793 6 3

min. 1562 3 1

max. 4479 6 3

mean 3793 5 3

min. 1562 2 1

max. 4479 4 2

mean 3793 3 2

min. 1562 1 1

max. 153,1 10 5

mean 106 7 3

min. 39,1 3 1

Unit 6



hours/year Particulate matter emission at 100 % load [t/year]

56


50


28


56

Specific particulate matter at 100% load

t/TWh

Gas turbine





Natural gas; Mm3/YEAR Particulate matter emission [t/year]





Page 78 of 97

ESTIMATED EMISSIONS OF DUST FROM TPP ŠOŠTANJ

PERIOD 2008-2050

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

2029

2030

2031

2032

2033

2034

2035

2036

2037

2038

2039

2040

2041

2042

2043

2044

2045

2046

2047

2048

2049

2050

year

Em

issi

on

(t)


Figure 29: Estimated emissions of dust in TPP in the period 2008 – 2050

Emission of Carbon Monoxide

PCC boiler facilities are not problematic with regard to achieving the prescribed emission limit CO concentration. In the operation of the new unit, the emission limit CO concentration of 250 mg/Nm3 will not be exceeded.

As regards to the estimated emissions of carbon monoxide in the period 2011-2050, it should be noted that in this period, substantially lower annual emissions are expected, on the account of substantially lower emission concentrations, which is also evident from the analyses of the existing situation of the emissions discharged into the atmosphere.

Estimated emissions of carbon monoxide in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5, 6 and the gas turbine are in Table 150 of EIA (EIMV, July 2009) and here in table 34.

Estimated emissions of carbon monoxide in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5, 6 and the gas turbine are less than BAT emission values.


Page 79 of 97

Table 34: Estimated emissions of carbon monoxide in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5, 6 and the gas turbine

emission limit values proposed concent.* combust. regulation failure**

250 50 500

load % t/hour

100 44 46 9

90 39 41 8

50 22 23 5

max. 558 584 117

mean 249 261 52

min. 38 40 8

1,341 0,213


250 50 500

load % t/hour

100 259 271 54

90 233 244 49

50 129 135 27

max. 1755 1839 368

mean 1397 1463 293

min. 112 117 23

1,185 0,213


250 80 500

load % t/hour

100 322 337 108

90 289 303 97

50 161 168 54

max. 3583 1207 386

mean 3034 1022 327

min. 1250 421 135

max. 3583 1086 348

mean 3034 920 294

min. 1250 379 121

max. 3583 603 193

mean 3034 511 164

min. 1250 211 67

max. 1953 2046 655

mean 1153 1208 387

min. 375 393 126

1,067 0,342

CO emission [kg/hour]

1000 ton coal/year CO emission [t/leto]

Unit 3

CO concentracion [mg/Nm3]

Unit 4



Unit 5



1000 ton coal/year CO emission [t/leto]

65

Specific CO emission at 100% load

73

hours/year CO emission at 50 % load [t/year]


81


40

1000 ton coal/year CO emission [t/year]

81

* average particulate CO concentration in the period 2000-2007

11


t/TWh



t/TWh





t/TWh


Page 80 of 97

emission limit values proposed concent. combust. regulation failure*

250 100 500

load % t/hour

100 444 465 186

90 400 419 168

50 222 233 93

max. 7111 3309 1324

mean 5752 2677 1071

min. 4444 2068 827

max. 7111 2978 1191

mean 5752 2409 964

min. 4444 1861 744

max. 7111 1654 662

mean 5752 1338 535

min. 4444 1034 414

max. 3200 3352 1341

mean 2588 2711 1084

min. 2000 2095 838

0,851 0,340


100 50


100 24.718 80,1 40

90 22.246 72,1 36

50 13.732 44,5 22,2

max. 4479 359 179

mean 3793 304 152

min. 1562 125 63

max. 4479 323 161

mean 3793 273 137

min. 1562 113 56

max. 4479 199 100

mean 3793 169 84

min. 1562 69 35

max. 153,1 496 248

mean 106 343 172

min. 39,1 127 63

Unit 6




112


101


56

1000 ton coal/year Emission CO [t/leto]

112


t/TWh

Gas turbine



hours/year CO emission at 100 % load [t/leto]



Natural gas; Mm3/YEAR CO emission [t/year]



Page 81 of 97

ESTIMATED EMISSIONS OF CARBON MONOXIDE FROM TPP ŠOŠTANJ

PERIOD 2008-2050

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

2029

2030

2031

2032

2033

2034

2035

2036

2037

2038

2039

2040

2041

2042

2043

2044

2045

2046

2047

2048

2049

2050

year

Em

issi

on

(t)


Figure 30: Estimated emissions of carbon monoxide in TPP in the period 2008 - 2050

Emission of Gaseous Inorganic Compounds

For boiler plants with thermal power above 300 MW, emission of chloride, fluoride and ammonia are limited by decree. The prescribed limit emission concentrations are as follows:

- for chlorine (expressed as HCl): 3 mg/Nm3 and according to Decree1430 mg/Nm3 respectively,

- for fluorine (expressed as HF): 1-5 mg/Nm3 and according to Decree15 3 mg/Nm3 respectively,

- for NH3: 5 mg/Nm3 and according to Decree15 30 mg/Nm3 respectively.

It is estimated that in the operation of the new unit, chlorine and fluorine concentrations will be lower than the prescribed emission values in BAT.

Estimated emissions of HCi in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5 and 6 are in Table 151 of EIA (EIMV, July 2009) and here in table 35.

14

With the amending of Anex 10 of the Decree on the emission of substances into the atmosphere from stationary sources of

pollution (Official gazette of RS, no.31/2007, 70/2008, 61/2009), the limit values for concentrations of chlorine and its inorganic compounds and concentrations of fluorine and its inorganic compounds for combustion plant with a rated thermal input greater then or equal to 50 MW do not apply.


Page 82 of 97

Table 35: Estimated HCl emissions in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5 and 6

emission limit values proposed concent.*

30 3

load % t/hour

100 44 5,5 0,5

90 39 4,9 0,5

50 22 2,7 0,3

max. 558 70,1 7

mean 249 31,3 3,1

min. 38 4,8 0,5

* concentracion measured in 2006


30 3

load % t/hour

100 259 33 3

90 233 29 3

50 129 16 2

max. 1755 221 22

mean 1397 176 18

min. 112 14 1



30 3

load % t/hour

100 322 40 4

90 289 36 4

50 161 20 2

max. 3583 145 14

mean 3034 123 12

min. 1250 51 5

max. 3583 130 13

mean 3034 110 11

min. 1250 45 5

max. 3583 72 7

mean 3034 61 6

min. 1250 25 3

max. 1953 246 25

mean 1153 145 14

min. 375 47 5


Unit 5

1000 ton coal/year HCl emission [t/year]

hours/year HCl emission at 50 % load [t/year]

HCl emission [kg/hour]





HCl concentracion [mg/Nm3]


Unit 4


Unit 3




Page 83 of 97


30 3

load % t/hour

100 444 56 6

90 400 50 5

50 222 28 3

max. 7111 397 40

mean 5752 321 32

min. 4444 248 25

max. 7111 357 36

mean 5752 289 29

min. 4444 223 22

max. 7111 199 20

mean 5752 161 16

min. 4444 124 12

max. 3200 402 40

mean 2588 325 33

min. 2000 251 25

Unit 6



hours/year




HCl emission at 100 % load [t/year]

Estimated HF emissions in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5 and 6 are in Table 152 of EIA (EIMV, July 2009) and here in table 36.

Table 36: Estimated HF emissions in different operational loads of Units 3, 4, 5 and 6


3 3

load % t/hour

100 44 0,5 0,5

90 39 0,5 0,5

50 22 0,3 0,3

max. 558 7 7

mean 249 3,1 3,1

min. 38 0,5 0,5


3 3

load % t/hour

100 259 3,3 3,3

90 233 2,9 2,9

50 129 1,6 1,6

max. 1755 22 22

mean 1397 18 18

min. 112 1 1

HF emission [kg/hour]

1000 ton coal/year HF emission [t/year]



Unit 4

HF concentracion [mg/Nm3]

Unit 3



Page 84 of 97


3 4

load % t/hour

100 322 4 4

90 289 4 4

50 161 2 2

max. 3583 14 16

mean 3034 12 13

min. 1250 5 6

max. 3583 13 14

mean 3034 11 12

min. 1250 5 5

max. 3583 7 8

mean 3034 6 7

min. 1250 3 3

max. 1953 25 27

mean 1153 14 16

min. 375 5 5



3 3

load % t/hour

100 444 6 6

90 400 5 5

50 222 3 3

max. 7111 40 40

mean 5752 32 32

min. 4444 25 25

max. 7111 36 36

mean 5752 29 29

min. 4444 22 22

max. 7111 20 20

mean 5752 16 16

min. 4444 12 12

max. 3200 40 40

mean 2588 33 33

min. 2000 25 25


hours/year HF emission at 90 % load [t/year]





Unit 6






Unit 5



Page 85 of 97

After the start-up of Unit 6, NH3 emissions will become an additional pollutant which will be emitted into the atmosphere as a result of electricity production.

Estimated NH3 emissions in different operational loads of Unit 6 are in Table 153 of EIA (EIMV, July 2009) and here in table 37.

Table 37: Estimated HF emissions in different operational loads of Unit 6


30 3

load% t/hour

100 444 56 6

90 400 50 5

50 222 28 3

max. 7111 397 40

mean 5752 321 32

min. 4444 248 25

max. 7111 357 36

mean 5752 289 29

min. 4444 223 22

max. 7111 199 20

mean 5752 161 16

min. 4444 124 12

max. 3200 402 40

mean 2588 325 33

min. 2000 251 25

hours/year NH3 emission at 50 % load [t/lyear]

1000 ton coal/year NH3 emission [t/lyear]

NH3 emission [kg/h]



Unit 6

NH3 concentracion [mg/Nm3]

Emission of Carbon Dioxide

Carbon Capture Storage (CCS) technologies have not yet been included to BAT technologies for large combustion plants. Considering fast development of these technologies, it can be predicted that they will be included to BAT technologies even before the year 2020.

4.1.2 Reference document on BAT for industrial cooling systems

Reference document on BAT for industrial cooling systems15 offers guidance for anyone preparing an application for an integrated permit, preparing a decision concerning the issue of an integrated permit and for operators of installations subject to integrated prevention regimes in the course of their performance of obligations ensuing from EU Directive 2008/1/ES concerning integrated pollution prevention and control.

The document is focused on cooling systems commonly used in very large combustion plants, the chemical, food processing, glass and iron and steel industries, refineries, the pulp and paper production industry and waste incinerators.

The area of Best Available Technologies and/or appropriate approaches for industrial cooling systems prescribes BREF-CS, which, among other things, also defines cooling systems in thermal power plants. These include:

- open flow-through systems, - open by-pass (wet) cooling towers, - open hybrid cooling towers and

15

BREF-CS: Reference Document on Best Available Techniques for Industrial Cooling Systems, December 2001


Page 86 of 97

- dry air cooled condensers.

In large cooling systems situated in locations where large amounts of cooling water and recipient cooling water are available, flow-through cooling systems are usually used. However, if there is no reliable water source available, by-pass systems (with cooling towers) are used.

Open by-pass (wet) cooling systems are already in operation in all existing facilities in the Power Plant Šoštanj. In this particular case, the choice of cooling technology is defined by local water sources which are not abundant in this area (e.g. large river systems, the seas etc.). As a source of cooling water, the Paka River is available which has been known for large flow fluctuations. The lowest flow rates in Šoštanj do not reach 0,2 m3/s, the highest are up to 100 m3/s and the average flow rate is 2,6 m3/s. Another source is Lake Druţmirje with the volume of 14 million m3 and surface of approximately 50 ha, which will continue to increase in size due to coal extraction. The Lake Velenje serves as a standby water source for the power plant, but due to fluctuations in the water level, the use is limited to 1 m (1 million m3 of water reserves).

A more detailed analysis of the availability of water sources is presented in EIA (EIMV, July 2009).

Consequently, based on availability of water sources and years of experience with cooling systems in the TEŠ, the open by-pass cooling system was selected as the only acceptable option of a cooling system; therefore, only the mentioned system is discussed in further preparation of the project documents.

4.1.3 Reference document on BAT for emissions from storage

Reference document on BAT on emissions from storage16 addresses the storage and the transfer/handling of liquids, liquefied gases and solids, regardless of the sector or industry. It addresses emissions to air, soil and water. However, most attention is given to emissions to air. Energy and noise are also addressed but to a lesser extent. Storage and transport of coal and also storage and transport of wastes from the production process, like sludge, ash and gypsum, which are according to procedure R5 processed into stabilizate TEŠ and used for reclamation of the subsidence area is descripted in EIA (EIMV, July 2009). According to the technical recommendations defined in BREF-ESB and BREF-LCP related to transport and storage of coal and wastes from the production process we can conclude, that through the entire process the principle of mitigation and prevention of pollution to minimum has been followed, by employing the best available technology.

Also, all the storage systems that has been used in the area of TE Šoštanj will also be used during operation of the new Unit 6 comply with the requirements of the best available technology defined in documents BREF-ESB and BREF-LCP mitigation and prevention of diffuse sources of emission of substances in the air.

On the basis of the available data we can conclude, that the described systems of transport and storage are acceptable activity affecting the environment, and by strictly complying with the best available technology on the area of control and prevention of dispersed emission sources, the over-pollution of the environment will be avoided.

16

BREF-ESB: Reference Document on Best Available Techniques on Emissions from Storage, July 2006


Page 87 of 97

4.2 BAT Assessment of operations for coal mine Velenje

At the moment a reference document on best available techniques (BREF/BAT) for underground mining doesn‘t exist; the subject is under evaluation and discussion at the specific technical Committees of the EU, but no agreements have been reached until now.

The main aspects that are defined by BREF/BAT in mining operations are related to the Directive 2006/21/EC on the management of waste from the extractive industries (―The Mining Waste Directive‖), that modifies the Directive 2004/35/EC on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage.

The directive rules:

the mineral processing, tailings production and finally the Tailings Management by one side (pond/dam, heap and backfilling)

the waste rock production from mining operations and its surface disposal, by the other side

The Directive and the ―Reference Document on Best Available Techniques for Management of Tailings and Waste-Rock in Mining Activities‖ [BREF-MTWR], July 2004 are not applicable in Coal Mine Velenje, because the coal is not processed and therefore no tailings production takes place.

On the other hand, every excavation (main structure galleries, access roadways and delimitation of exploitation panels) is entirely done in solid coal, and therefore no waste rock is produced.

The run of mine coal is send as produced directly to the Power Station Stock Pile, without any kind of beneficiation, transformation or process.

In conclusion for the mine BREF/BAT Reference are not applicable.


Page 88 of 97

5. Assessment of alternatives and whether the project is carbon capture ready and is carbon capture feasible in this area

5.1 Introduction

According to the plan for the allocation of quotas, the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant will in the

year 2007 have available 4,190,176 ton CO2 free of charge, which is sufficient to cover the

planned annual lignite consumption of approx. 4,000,000 ton. In the period 2008-2012, TE Š will be, based on the National Plan for the Allocation of Emission Coupons for the Period 2008 to 2012, entitled to the average annual allocation of emission coupons in the amount of 4,300,826. The total amount of coupons planned for TE Š in the period concerned is 21,504,120 (National Plan for the Allocation of Emission Coupons for the Period 2008 to 2012, Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 42/2007, 70/2007).

The future periods following the expiry of the Kyoto Protocol in the year 2012 have not been defined yet.

In January 2008, the Energy and Climate Package was adopted, which also includes the following: proposition for amending the Emission Trading Directive 2003/87/ES (―ETS Directive‖)

and thus extension of the current system of emission trading which will involve all largest industrial polluters and several greenhouse gases, and

a new legal framework for carbon capture and storage - the CCS technology.

With the Energy and Climate Package, the EU wishes to reduce the amounts of greenhouse gases emissions by at least 20 % by the year 2020 and, similarly, to increase the percentage of renewable sources in the energy consumption by 20 % by the year 2020. The process of emission reduction should increase up to 30 % until the year 2020, in order to limit the global increase of average temperature to no more than 2°C above the pre-industrial level.

The system of emission trading is and remains the key mechanism of the encouragement for carbon emission reduction and can be used as a basis for international endeavours in the

struggle against climate change. For excess quantities of CO2 above the permitted quotas, TEŠ

will have to provide CO2 coupons in the market, in relation to the operation of units, produced

electricity and consumed fuel.

The proposition for amending the ETS Directive states that after the year 2013, the electricity

production sector should buy all CO2 coupons in auctions. At least 20 % of the auction

income should be intended for the greenhouse gases emission reduction, mitigation of climate change and adjustments to it. A part of this income should also be intended for financing the research and development of the CCS technology which will be included in the ETS Directive with the year 2013. For the captures, transported and stored in compliance with the guidelines of the Energy and Climate Package, no quotas will be assigned. Additionally, it won't be necessary to deliver coupons for the quantities of stored quotas, which represents and will represent an encouragement for the managers to implement the technology.


Page 89 of 97

5.2 CCS project in TPP Šoštanj

The obligatory legislation doesn't define the monitoring of CO2 content in flue gases and because of that the CO2 emissions into the air are defined in accordance to IPPC methodology on the base of the next data: fuel consumption, carbon (C) content in the fuel defined by elementary analysis, the stage of oxidation which depends of fuel type and combustion technology (for classical

coal combustion it is 98%) and molar ratio of C and CO2 In compliance with the instructions of the Commission Decision of 29 January 2004 Establishing Guidelines for the Monitoring and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Pursuant to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, the emission of carbon dioxide resulting from the use of lignite is defined as a product of fuel energy, appropriate emission factor and oxidation coefficient. Estimated CO2 emissions into the atmosphere according to IPPC methodology from PP Šoštanj in the period from 1986 to 2007 are given in EIA (EIMV, July 2009).. The production volume of Unit 6, which will begin operating in the Post-Kyoto period, will also depend on emission control. Estimated CO2 emissions into the atmosphere from Units 3, 4, 5 and 6 and from gas turbine are given in EIA (EIMV, July 2009) at an hourly level, at 100 %, 90 % and 50 % load of the unit. Emissions are calculated at different predicted hours of operation during the year (minimum, maximum and average number of hours/year) and at different levels of coal consumption at an annual level (minimum, maximum and average). Specific emission of each individual unit has been calculated and expressed in t/TWh. Estimated CO2 emissions into the atmosphere according to IPPC methodology from TPP Šoštanj in the period from 2009 to 2027 are given in the table 38.

Table 38: Estimated emissions of CO2 into the atmosphere in the period from 2009 to 2027

YEAR 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Unit 1-3 436.339 295.152 295.152 295.152 295.152 295.152 0 0 0

Unit 4 1.550.525 1.669.219 1.888.867 1.669.219 1.602.797 1.888.867 0 0 0

Unit 5 2.036.390 2.036.390 1.825.613 2.036.390 2.100.278 1.825.613 1.101.619 1.101.619 1.101.619

Unit 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.912.976 2.912.976 2.912.976

Total 4.023.254 4.000.762 4.009.632 4.000.762 3.998.227 4.009.632 4.014.595 4.014.595 4.014.595

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1.101.619 1.101.619 1.101.619 997.181 892.848 788.410 683.971 569.078 464.640 360.307

2.912.976 2.912.976 2.912.976 2.912.976 2.912.976 2.912.976 2.912.976 2.912.976 2.912.976 2.912.976

4.014.595 4.014.595 4.014.595 3.910.157 3.805.824 3.701.386 3.596.947 3.482.054 3.377.616 3.273.283

Coal

In the table 39 and 40 data regarding specific CO2 emissions for both net electrical energy and gross electrical energy are listed.


Page 90 of 97

Table 39: Specific CO2 emissions for net electrical energy in the period from 2009 to 2027 (kg/kWhe net)

YEAR 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Unit 1-3 1,412 1,412 1,412 1,412 1,412 1,412 0,000 0,000 0,000

Unit 4 1,187 1,187 1,187 1,187 1,187 1,187 0,000 0,000 0,000

Unit 5 1,080 1,080 1,074 1,080 1,082 1,074 1,044 1,044 1,044

Unit 6 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,844 0,844 0,844

Total 1,150 1,143 1,146 1,143 1,142 1,146 0,891 0,891 0,891

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027

0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000

0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000

1,044 1,044 1,044 1,044 1,044 1,044 1,044 1,044 1,044 1,044

0,844 0,844 0,844 0,844 0,844 0,844 0,844 0,844 0,844 0,844

0,891 0,891 0,891 0,888 0,884 0,880 0,876 0,872 0,867 0,863

Coal

Table 40: Specific CO2 emissions for gross electrical energy in the period from 2009 to 2027 (kg/kWhe gross)

YEAR 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Unit 1-3 1,243 1,243 1,243 1,243 1,243 1,243 0,000 0,000 0,000

Unit 4 1,045 1,045 1,045 1,045 1,045 1,045 0,000 0,000 0,000

Unit 5 0,951 0,951 0,945 0,951 0,952 0,945 0,919 0,919 0,919

Unit 6 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,768 0,768 0,768

Total 1,012 1,006 1,008 1,006 1,006 1,008 0,804 0,804 0,804

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027

0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000

0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000

0,919 0,919 0,919 0,919 0,919 0,919 0,919 0,919 0,919 0,919

0,768 0,768 0,768 0,768 0,768 0,768 0,768 0,768 0,768 0,768

0,804 0,804 0,804 0,801 0,799 0,796 0,792 0,789 0,785 0,782

Coal

As long as net power generation is concerned, total plant specific emissions will decrease from 1,15 kg/kWhe of 2009 to 0,891 kg/kWhe in 2015, and to 0,863 kg/kWhe in 2027.

Unit 6 CO2 specific emission amounts to 0,844 kg CO2/kWh of net power.

Instead, if gross power generation is concerned, total plant specific emissions will decrease from 1,012 kg/kWhe of 2009 to 0,804 kg/kWhe in 2015, and to 0,782 kg/kWhe in 2027.

Unit 6 CO2 specific emission amounts to 0,768 kg CO2/ kWh of gross power.

International political pressure is growing to reduce anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions since they are linked to concerns about global warming. There is a fear that if many new fossil fuel power plants are built worldwide with no option for CO2 abatement, then a large amount of CO2 emission to the atmosphere will be 'locked-in', since such plants may well have an operational life of forty years or more.

In that context a relatively new concept of making new power plants ―capture (and storage) ready‖ for future retrofit with CCS was generated.

CO2 can be captured from fossil fuel fired power plants but it is not currently economically feasible to build power plants fitted with CO2 capture. The concept of a 'capture ready' power plant therefore comes into being.

A CO2 capture ready power plant is a plant which can include CO2 capture when the necessary regulatory or economic drivers are in place. The aim of building plants that are capture ready is to reduce the risk of stranded assets and ‗carbon lock-in‘.


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Without ―capture readiness‖, every new power plant built would lock in high CO2 emissions for a generation to come. There is an urgent need to define the criteria for ensuring that new coal-fired plants, especially those burning pulverised coal, will be ―capture ready‖.

Policy measures could be introduced to persuade developers to make their plants capture ready. These could include a legal requirement or incentives based on a definition of what is needed to qualify a plant as capture ready. Even without such a requirement, plant developers may still choose to build their plants capture ready, if there is a reasonable expectation that future regulatory requirements or market prices of CO2 emission credits will make the additional investment worthwhile, to reduce the costs of future capture retrofit or to avoid the need to prematurely shut down plants.

Developers of capture ready plants should take responsibility for ensuring that all known factors in their control that would prevent installation and operation of CO2 capture have been identified and eliminated and this might include:

a study of options for CO2 capture retrofit and potential pre-investments, inclusion of sufficient space and access for the additional facilities that would be required

and identification of reasonable route(s) to storage of CO2.

The production volume of Unit 6, which will begin operating in the Post-Kyoto period, will also depend on emission control. Therefore, it will be necessary to search for options for environmentally acceptable operation. Technology of carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) is a key climate change mitigation option for the future.

The possibilities offered by the CCS technology are already being examined.

ERICo Velenje, an Environmental Research & Industrial Co-operation Institute carries out the researches in the field of CCS technology for TPP Šoštanj since 2003..

The activities in the area of CCS technologies for TPP Šoštanj:

In the year 2003 a general overview the CO2 capture, storage and utilisation technologies was prepared. The potential to reduce Slovenia‘s CO2 emissions from energy sector by capture and storage was estimated. The major barriers for applying these technologies are the high capital and operating costs and reduced process efficiencies. If 0,06 % of CO2 emissions from energy sector would be captured in Slovenia, this would be enough for its yearly utilisation in different purposes with respect to costs. Electricity production from fossil fuels in Slovenia is very important (more then 1/3 of electricity is produced in Thermo Power Plant Šoštanj), although reduction of greenhouse gasses emissions can‘t be neglected. Because the estimated amount of used CO2 in Slovenia is negligible in comparison to emissions, the main option (in addition to other proposed government measures) considered for the long-term is storage in underground geologic formations.

In the year 2004 a short overview of CO2 capture technologies in the energetic sector was prepared. There are two possibilities for CO2 capture by electricity production from fossil fuels: post-combustion flue gas scrubbing i.e. for the conventional combustion and pre-combustion decarbonisation i.e. for new techniques of fossil fuels combustion such as coal combined gasification and combustion with oxygen. The selection of a technology for a given capture application depends on many factors i.e. partial pressure of CO2 in the flue

gas, extent of CO2 recovery required, sensitivity to impurities, purity of desired CO2 product, capital and operating costs of the process, the cost of additives necessary to overcome fouling and corrosion and where applicable, the environmental impact. Based upon the method of CO2 removal, capture technologies can be broadly classified into the following


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categories: chemical and physical solvent scrubbing, adsorption, cryogenic separation and membranes.

In thermal power plants where the classic pulverised coal combustion process is used for electric energy production, the CO2 concentrations in flue gases vary in the range of 5 and 15% vol. For such low CO2 contents in flue gases the capture technologies like chemical and physical solvent scrubbing are used or their combination, i.e. hybrid solvent scrubbing.

Nowadays the most useful technology is solvent scrubbing. In future adsorption and membranes will be predominate.

In the same year an experiment on sequestration of CO2 in Coalmine Velenje was performed in direct in coal seam from mine shaft. The composition of desorbed gases was measured and the amount of methane in monitoring period was between 60 and 78%. Gas desorbed from these wells was medium quality and can be used for electricity production or for space and water heating on-site. With gas turbines installation in TPP Šoštanj, the degasification system in Velenje Coal mine would be an interesting option due to coal bed methane use in Thermal power plant Šoštanj.

Figure 31: The flange at the injection well in Coal mine Velenje

The aim of the project in 2005 was focused on the possibilities of permanent CO2 storage. In previous phase of project it was planned to inject CO2 in different geological formations. According to plan an experiment of CO2 sequestering was performed during preparation of the new well. Ecological monitoring of released gases and underground water was performed.

Figure 32: Part of the equipment for experiment of CO2 injection into geological formation pliocene


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Approximately cost of CCS technology introduction were also estimated. CCS systems have just started being developed. At the moment some demonstration, pilot or plants built operate in the initial phase of the implementation of the technology. Total capture and storage costs for pulverised coal fired plants are about 33 €/t CO2 to 77 €/t CO2. The estimated costs for Thermal Power Plant Šoštanj were 50 €/t CO2, price of emission coupons in March 2005 was about 26 €/t CO2. According to prices in 2005, capture and storage costs for CO2 were twice as much. Nevertheless, the possibilities for implementation of carbon capture technology in Thermal Power Plant Šoštanj was estimated as good, especially when will be find out the possibilities for CO2 storage in the Šaleška Valley.

Figure 33: CO2 system supply

In January 2008 an implementation of an experiment on sequestration of CO2 in the

indestructible coal seam was performed. The goal of this experiment was to acquire data about the permeability of coal seam for CO2 in Velenje Coalmine. Four wells were used for the experiment on CO2 sequestration. The experiment was part of MOVECBM project from 6 framework programme.

According to tender of Project Council the next tasks started in October 2009:

1. Potential for geological storage of CO2, 2. Implementation of ETC and CCS legislation, and 3. Development of technologies for CO2 capture.


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5.3 Conclusions

CCS technologies have not yet been included to BAT technologies for large combustion plants. Considering fast development of these technologies, it can be predicted that they will be included to BAT technologies even before the year 2020.

The production volume of Unit 6, which will begin operating in the Post-Kyoto period, will also depend on emission control. Therefore, it will be necessary to search for options for environmentally acceptable operation. The possibilities offered by the CCS technology are already being examined in that respect; Unit 6 is designed as CCS Ready and in the spatial plans for the construction of Unit 6, there is also a location for the completion of the carbon capture technology.

The modernisation project provides, next to the unit, extra space for constructing the separator unit from flue gases (CO2 – CCS Ready), in case the future legislation should require it. All solutions related to treatment of flue gases have been prepared in view of possible upgrading of the plant. After the first January 2016 the area foreseen for CO2 separator unit from flue gases seen will be available (location of Unit 4 cooling tower).


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6. Cumulative environmental and social impacts of the Project

The planned modernisation project, including the construction and operation of the state-of-the-art Unit 6, taken into consideration the planned waste-water treatment processes, waste water closed circuit, appropriate waste management and its processing into ―stabilizat‖ to be used in subsidence area, in case proposed mitigation measures to reduce negative environmental impacts both during construction and during operation are implemented, is considered to be acceptable regarding environmental impacts and will not cause excessive pollution.

The modernisation project of the TES Power Plant will enable to achieve, among other, a higher thermal efficiency of the plant, reduced airborne emissions of SO2, NOx and PM10, reduced CO2 emission factor per unit of output power, and thereby to respect the normative limit and target values for ambient air pollution. Likewise, the analysis of model calculations of ambient air quality shows that simultaneous operation of Unit 5 and Unit 6, at their maximum load, will be in accordance with applicable legislation and will not cause excessive environmental pollution. Discharge of flue gases through a 157 meter high cooling tower has been proven to be the environmentally more acceptable solution for flue gas release compared to the alternative of 230 meters high chimney stack.

The operation of the associated Velenje Coal mine is compliant with the present legislation. A sizable effort has been put in to ongoing environmental improvements. The environmental impacts of the coal mine will mainly remain as they are at present, with exception of subsidence area expansion and the consequences arising from it. The most important will be the impacts on geomorphology, soils and cultural heritage. The phenomenon of subsidence has been present in the area for decades and the programs of remediation of subsidence area and environmental monitoring are well established, so the negative impacts of mining are addressed in manner that is known and accepted in the area. The expansion of lakes has had some positive impacts as well, to mention just wildlife and recreation possibilities. With implementation of proposed mitigation measures in this Addendum and the ones already in operation the further excavation of coal in this area is acceptable from the point of environmental impacts.

Impacts of further operation of thermal power plant and associated coal mine on social environment are significantly beneficial. Even though the Plant modernization and further operation of the mine will not change the present employment structure in the area, they will preserve a significant number of jobs, which is from the perspective of present uncertain times for other economic branches in the area very important. The companies‘ well established relationships with the local communities and their continuing involvement in local cultural, sporting and infrastructure projects must also not be forgotten.

The cumulative environmental and social impacts associated to the modernization project of the Šoštanj Power Plant and to the operation of the Velenje Coal mine are acceptable with the implementation of proposed mitigation measures.


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7. List of references

1. Thermal Power Plant Šoštanj (TEŠ): Internet homepage, http://www.te-sostanj.si/en/

2. TEŠ Annual Report 2008, http://www.te-sostanj.si/en/filelib/letno_poroilo/annual_report_2008.pdf

3. Premogovnik Velenje (PV): Internet homepage, http://www.rlv.si/default.asp?id=86

4. Premogovnik Velenje (PV) documentation

5. MESP, Agency of Environment RS: Atlas of Environment (Atlas okolja), http://gis.arso.gov.si/atlasokolja/profile.aspx?id=Atlas_Okolja_AXL@Arso

6. Geopedia: http://www.geopedia.si/

7. EIMV: EIA Report for construction and operation of Unit 6 in TPP Šoštanj, Ref. no. 1973, Ljubljana, July 2009

8. HGEM d.o.o. Poročilo o izdelavi piezometrične vrtine ; Ivan Supovec, hidrogeolog; Ljubljana, junij, 2004; (trans.M.Boaretto)

9. Geoinţeniring d.o.o. and the Institute of Construction of Slovenia: "REPORT ON FURTHER EXAMINATIONS SLOPES FOR COOLING TOWER " in July 2008

10. University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Institute of structures, Earthquake Engineering and Computer Science "EARTHQUAKE DESIGN PARAMETERS FOR STRUCTURES OF UNIT 6 OF TPP ŠOŠTANJ" in July 2007.

11. Rakovec j., Gregorič, G., 1998: Possible impact of planned HPP reservoir on the Sava Dolinka River downstream from HPP Moste on microclimate in the surrounding area. Final report.

12. Greenhouse gas and nutrient dynamics in lake sediments in changing environment, EGS - AGU - EUG Joint Assembly, Abstracts from the meeting held in Nice, France, 6 - 11 April 2003, abstract #14036

13. Ordinance declaring cultural monuments in the municipality Šoštanj, Official Journal of Municipality of Šoštanj, no. 3/2006, 2/2009. Register of cultural heritage, http://rkd.situla.org/?uid=2375

14. HSE Internet homepage, http://www.hse.si/novice?id=12

15. Ministry of Culture, RS: Register of Cultural heritage, http://giskd.situla.org/, 2009

16. Municipality of Velenje: internet homepage, http://www.velenje.si

17. BREF-LCP: Reference Document on Best Available Techniques for Large Combustion Plants, julij 2006

18. BREF-CS: Reference Document on Best Available Techniques for Industrial Cooling Systems, December 2001

19. BREF-ESB: Reference Document on Best Available Techniques on Emissions from Storage, July 2006

20. ERICo: The possibilities of capture, storage and use of carbon dioxide, DP 235/03/03, Velenje, September 2003,

21. ERICo: The potential for reduction carbon dioxide emissions from TES, DP 517/03/04, Velenje, December 2004

22. ERICo: Exploitation of methane in the layer, DP 41/03/05, Velenje, February 2005

23. ERICo: Analysis of costs of introducing technology for exploitation the carbon dioxide from flue gas, DO 124/03/06, Velenje, March 2006

24. ERICo: The possibility of permanent storage of carbon dioxide, DP 89/03/06, February 2006

25. ERICo: The possibility of storage of carbon dioxide in Šaleška Valley, DP 34103/08, Velenje, Jun 2008

http://www.te-sostanj.si/en/

http://www.te-sostanj.si/en/filelib/letno_poroilo/annual_report_2008.pdf

http://www.rlv.si/default.asp?id=86

http://gis.arso.gov.si/atlasokolja/profile.aspx?id=Atlas_Okolja_AXL@Arso

http://www.geopedia.si/

http://rkd.situla.org/?uid=2375

http://www.hse.si/novice?id=12

http://giskd.situla.org/

http://www.velenje.si/

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MWH S.p.A.

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