Many of you will have received a leaflet from the Electricity Authority of Cyprus regarding pollution levels at Vassilikos Power Station. The leaflet is in Greek, so for the benefit of people who prefer an English version, the following is a translation:
Electricity Authority of Cyprus Informing residents of Communities adjacent to H/S Vassilikos
Upgrading projects at the Vassilikos Power Station
The environment is one of its main priorities EAC Strategy. In the context of transparency and continuous information of the citizens who live in the communities adjacent to the Vassilikos Power Station, the EAC informs the following:
Air quality around I/S Vassilikos
The air quality around the Vassilikos Power Station is measured and evaluated in real time, 24 hours a day, through specialized Mobile Environmental Measurement Units, both of the EAC and the Department of Labour Inspection. These are located in the villages of Zygi, Kalavasos and Mari.
The said environmental measurements are presented on the website of the Department of Labour Inspection, Air Quality (https://www.airquality.dli.mlsi.gov.cy), which any citizen can visit and monitor whenever they wish. Based on the results shown on the Website, the measurements are within the relevant limits set by the European Commission.
Installation of Environmental Protection Systems
As part of our strategy for continuous reduction of pollutants and compliance with the requirements of the Organization’s Environmental Management System and the relevant directives and regulations of the European Commission, EAC has installed in Steam Units 1, 2 & 3 at the Vassilikos Power Station protection systems of environment such as dust retention, denitrification systems as well as desulfurization systems.
Current situation
The above systems were installed in the Boilers of steam-electric production units 1, 2 and 3 during the last 3 years or so. They concern denitrification systems and desulphurization systems, while work was also carried out to improve the performance of previously installed electrostatic precipitators to reduce emitted solid dust particles. The denitrification system has presented a number of technical issues affecting the operation of other auxiliary systems of the Boilers as a result of which they are temporarily out of service.
The EAC, after being assigned directly to the manufacturing companies of the Units Production and based on the recommendations of these companies will immediately proceed with the assignment of the relevant contracts for the execution of the necessary corrective works.
Explanation of the colour of smoke
The white colour observed at the exit of the chimneys of Boilers 1 and 2 is due either to an excess of combustion air/oxygen during periods of sharp load reduction, or to the presence of water vapour in the flue gas due to the appearance of steam in part of the Boiler systems, or due to the absorption of atmospheric air in parts of the exhaust system operating under vacuum conditions.
At the same time, at times within 24 hours, dark coloured smoke is observed from the chimneys of Boilers 1-3. This is part of the normal operation of the Boilers, and occurs either during moments of a sudden increase in the load of a production unit (due to an unexpected shutdown of another conventional production unit or a sudden reduction in production from RES), or at times during the fumigation process in the three Boilers. It is noted that the pollutant levels even with the anti-pollution technologies out of operation due to the technical issues presented are similar to those before their installation.
Quality of fuel used by EAC
It is EAC’s standard practice that fuels are thoroughly tested upon receipt at the Vassilikos Power Station, both by EAC itself and by an independent, accredited laboratory to ensure that they are always within the required technical specifications,
Timetable for repairing the systems
The desulfurization facilities in Boilers 1, 2 and 3 have already been completed while the completion of the denitrification works is being carried out gradually for all units based on a specific binding timetable with a start date of Autumn 2022 and completion in three stages as follows:
Module 1: Spring 2023
Module 2: Autumn 2023
Unit 3: Spring 2024
Vassilikos Power Station: PO Box 54294 cy-3722 Limassol Cyprus Tel: 357-24207000 Fax: 357-24207009 E-mail: eac@eac.com.cy Website: http://www.eac.com.cy
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