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Çayırhan power station
Çayırhan power station is a 620 MW operational coal fired power station in Turkey in Ankara Province.[1] In 2019 land was expropriated for another lignite mine, to feed the a proposed extension, which was opposed as uneconomic and eventually had its licence revoked.[2][3] HistoryIn 2017 the government privatized the Çayırhan-B lignite coalfield on condition a coal-fired power plant is built, in the hope that it would be the first of a wave of similar deals for various lignite coalfields around the country.[4] OwnershipThe project was a joint venture between Kolin, Kalyon and Çelikler.[5] But in 2020 the licence expired and as of 2024 it belongs to EÜAŞ with a different licence number.[6] FinanceAn extension was proposed at an estimated cost of $1.1-billion but was not done.[5] SubsidiesThe government is giving a 15-year purchase guarantee.[5] EconomicsThe winning consortium bid $60.4 per megawatt, but according to opponents of the extension expanding Turkey's solar power would save taxpayers money in the long term.[2] EmploymentThe company said it would employ 500 people in the plant and 1,500 for coal mining.[5] Coal supplyAs Turkish lignite is heavy compared to its energy content coal must be sourced locally. According to one source Çayırhan is a longwall mine (therefore underground),[7] but Global Energy Monitor says it is opencast. Coalfields in Ankara province include Beypazarı-Çayırhan, Gölbaşı-Karagedik, Gölbaşı-Bahçeköy, Ayaş-Kayıbucak and Şereflikoçhisar.[4] Environmental ImpactDespite the environmental impact assessment having been approved opponents of the extension claim the environment will be damaged. DustAs of 2020[update] the plant is operating with inadequate dust filters[8] and Turkey has no legal limit on ambient fine particules (PM2.5). Opponents claim that Nallıhan bird sanctuary, 6 km away, could be damaged.[2] Sulfur DioxideAs of 2020[update] the plant is operating with inadequate sulfur treatment,[9][8] and the area is a sulfur dioxide air pollution hotspot[10] Nitrogen oxidesAs of 2020[update] the plant is operating without sufficient NOx filtering.[8] Greenhouse gasesAfter extension the power station would contribute an estimated 4 megatonnes (Mt) a year to Turkey's greenhouse gas emissions.[2] As Turkey has no carbon emission trading it would not be economically viable to capture and store the gas.[11] OppositionThe Chamber of Mechanical Engineers has questioned why the existing plant was granted a 2020 operating license without meeting air pollution standards.[8] Opponents include Ankara 350.org and singer Tarkan.[2] In 2022 the NGO Climate Change, Policy, and Research Association alleged that the power station did not comply with flue gas regulations, was burning coal from a mine which did not have a permit, and risked collapsing.[12]: 30 [13][14] See alsoReferences
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