Plomin Power Station () is a coal-fired power station near Plomin, Croatia. As of 2007, its production corresponded to 13% of Croatia's electricity needs.
The power plant consists of two boiler units: TE Plomin A, built in 1969 and TE Plomin B, built in 2000. Both are operated by Hrvatska elektroprivreda, and the latter was co-owned with RWE Power AG. On 28 May 2015, the contract signed by the two parties in 1996 expired, thereby transferring the thermal power plant into 100 percent ownership of HEP. They generate a total of 330 megawatt. In 2007 their total output was 2187 gigawatt-hours; in 2009 it was 1927 GWh.
In 2011, the reconstruction of the Plomin A Power Station was proposed for a more efficient and safer functioning. The capacity of the new station, named Plomin C, will be of 500 MW instead the 125 MW of the old one, a fact that created ambiguities as it was mostly viewed as a new project rather than a reconstruction of the Plomin A plant. As a result, the Plomin Power Station capacity will increase from 335 MW to 710 MW. The upper limit of 335 MW was planned to be the maximum to be allowed at Plomin plant, an increase in capacity being possible only using gas rather than coal. However, the Croatian government supported the project, viewing it as “rational and cost effective”.
Plomin Power Station has a tall chimney, which is the tallest constructed structure in Croatia.
Components of the Plomin Power Station
Plomin A
Plomin A power station was built in 1969. It represents one of the two existing power plants at Plomin Power Station from Istria, Croatia. The capacity of Plomin A is 120 MW and it is operated by Hrvatska elektroprivreda.
In 2011, the reconstruction and modernization of the plant was proposed and its incorporation into Plomin C power station. The plant will be stopped at the end of 2017. The latest news are: because of big fire of the electric cables (control room) maybe the plant will never start again.
Plomin B
Plomin B power station was built in 2000 and it is the second plant at Plomin power station. It is operated by HEP. Plomin B has a capacity of 210 MW.
Plomin C
Plomin C is a 500 megawatt (MW) coal power plant to be built in Istria, Croatia as a third unit of the Plomin Power Plant. The project is operated by the Croatian electricity company Hrvatska elektroprivreda (HEP) and it was presented as a reconstruction of the Plomin A Power Plant, even though its capacity is planned to be four times bigger than the previous one (125 MW). This has generated a lot of discussions on the legality and sustainability of the project among local and international groups, as well as from local officials. The value of the investment is of EUR 800 million.
The project is planned to start in 2013 and end by 2017/2018.
Description of the project
The purpose of the project is to reconstruct Plomin A Power Plant and to assure a safe long-term source of energy, as well as to decrease the dependence of the country on the imported energy. Croatia being a country that imports more than 30% of the consumed energy. Environmental NGOs affirm that, on the other side, it will increase the import of coal as the country does not have domestic resources, thus maintaining the external dependence. HEP defended by saying that unlike gas and oil, coal comes from politically stable countries, mainly OECD, thus the supply for this raw material can be easily assured. Additionally, the project is presented as improving the environmental conditions on the region as the old Plomin A Power Plant will be closed and C will be opened. The construction of the new station will be realized in accordance with the guidance of the European Union so that the “Best Available Techniques” (BAT) are used. The BAT represent the most advanced and efficient methods that aim to reduce to the maximum the emissions and the environmental damage caused by power plants. Furthermore, HEP classifies Plomin C as a “near zero emission” power plant. However, according to estimates, Plomin C will emit 2.644 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent.