The Novo-Angren thermal power plant, located in the Tashkent region of Uzbekistan, has come under scrutiny for exceeding emissions standards, leading to significant fines and calls for immediate action to rectify environmental violations.
The fines imposed on the power plant amounted to a total of UZS 1.003 bn ($81,435), with UZS 887 mn ($72,016) attributed to air pollution from harmful substances and an additional UZS 116 mn ($9,418) for improper disposal of industrial waste.
In response to these violations, the Ecology Department has taken decisive action, contacting law enforcement agencies to hold 11 officials of the thermal power plant accountable for their role in the environmental transgressions. Additionally, an immediate plan of action has been devised to enhance the efficiency of the station's dust and gas treatment equipment, aiming to mitigate further environmental harm.
This incident follows a pattern of environmental non-compliance within Uzbekistan's energy sector, as evidenced by a recent inspection conducted at the Tashkent Thermal Power Plant (Tashkent TPP). The Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change reported violations of environmental legislation at Tashkent TPP, estimating damages at UZS 1 bn ($81,191).
The reliance on gas as the primary fuel source for thermal power plants, with occasional use of fuel oil, has contributed to air pollution in the capital, leading to the formation of smog. Environmentalists have highlighted the absence of emissions treatment systems as a contributing factor to the environmental degradation observed in the region.
The Novo-Angren power station, also known as the Yangi-Angrenskaya power station, comprises seven units with a capacity of 300 MW each, which were commissioned between 1985 and 1995. This facility is primarily intended to provide electricity to the Fergana Valley of Uzbekistan, the city of Tashkent, and the Almalyk industrial zone.
In 2014, Uzbekenergo converted five of the power-generating units at the station to coal burning, a strategic decision aimed at conserving gas resources, estimated to save 713.5 mn cubic meters of gas annually. The power plant primarily relies on coal sourced from the nearby Angren coal mine in the Tashkent region, although it also continues to use gas to some extent. The precise fuel balance remains undisclosed.
In January 2023, the plant reported successful experience in utilizing non-design high-calorific coal from Kazakhstan, resulting in increased economic efficiency and reliability of the power units. Electricity generation for 2022 reached 4,709 mn kWh, a notable increase from the previous year's output of 3,909 mn kWh. Additionally, significant repairs on Unit 2 and routine maintenance on Unit 3 in 2022 contributed to an increase in available capacity from 180MW to 200MW, although this falls short of the design capacity of 300MW.
The plant achieved a total electricity generation of 4,704 mn kWh in 2022, compared to 3,909 mn kWh in 2021.
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