Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) has issued a tender for developing a conceptual design for the conservation process and preparing and submitting environmental impact assessment (EIA) requests for the decommissioning of the Kolubara and Morava thermal power plants.
According to the technical documentation, many fossil-fuel power plants across Europe are being shut down or placed in cold reserve to reduce environmental impacts and comply with the EU Large Combustion Plant Directive. In Serbia, the Kolubara and Morava plants are nearing the end of their operational lifespan, with most of their units having exhausted their permitted operating hours under the National Emission Reduction Plan, necessitating their closure.
To minimize the environmental and socio-economic impacts of decommissioning, careful planning is essential. There is a possibility of transferring these plants into strategic reserve, with the option of reactivation in case of energy supply disruptions. The plan includes long-term conservation of the units, preserving them until a final decision is made about the future use of the sites. Additionally, the idea is to repurpose equipment and capacities for alternative applications, ensuring greater sustainability while maintaining their role as strategic reserves.
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To resolve the status of the Kolubara and Morava thermal power plants, all elements and units must be analyzed, and vital components such as boilers, turbo-generator equipment, and pipelines must be conserved for an extended period. The objective is to preserve the equipment during downtime, enabling future reactivation without time constraints while minimizing health, safety, and environmental risks.
The project also includes evaluating the potential for repurposing plant equipment and exploring alternative land use in line with local community needs. Conservation efforts will focus on corrosion prevention and the protection of key components, particularly boilers, turbines, and cooling systems. National environmental regulations will be considered, especially regarding the use of chemicals and the handling of by-products during conservation.
For the decommissioning project, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) request must be prepared in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Law and other relevant regulations. Protective measures and pollution monitoring protocols will be developed for all stages: shutdown, passive conservation, and potential reactivation.
