Report: Greece's electricity grid operator wants to extend the life of lignite plant

A Greek newspaper reported that Greece's IPTO, the power grid operator, wants to keep a lignite plant, which is scheduled to close later this year, open for another year. The company says it will be needed for supplies, given 'the turmoil caused by?the Iran - war,' a Greek paper said. Greece, as part of the European Union's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 has committed to stopping burning lignite by 2028. This is because lignite is the most carbon intensive form of coal. It has also invested heavily in renewable energy sources, which account for about half of the country's electricity mix.

Public Power Corp. plans to convert the 350 megawatt Ptolemaida?5 (one of Greece's two remaining lignite fired power plants) to a gas-fired facility by 2027.

Kathimerini reported that IPTO, the grid operator, who is responsible for ensuring stable supplies, had requested that the plant stay open until 2027. This would give time for other gas-fired power plants to be added to the grid, and prevent any possible shortages caused by the Middle Eastern conflict. The newspaper cited an IPTO letter sent to PPC and Greek energy ministry.

IPTO refused to comment on the report. PPC said it will stick with its original plan which calls for removing Ptolemaida?from the?system by this year.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted the?gas supply to the country, causing it to be concerned about the influx of gas in the winter, when the demand for heating will increase.

The cost of coal-fired electricity has increased due to a rise in the price of?permits to generate 'carbon emissions' as governments have limited supply under the European Union Emissions Trading System. (Reporting and editing by Barbara Lewis; Angeliki Koutantou)

(source: Reuters)