Poland hatches plans to build coal-fuelled thermal plant in Ukraine

• 30.06.2008  | 
• ZIK | 
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Category: Invest projects, Lviv news

   Poland’s plans to build a thermal power plant working on coal run counter to the EU policy to cut CO2 emissions, European energy policy expert Mathias Rot says. -

According to The Ukrayinska Pravda report, Poland is to substantially reduce its CO2 emissions by 2013.

Meanwhile, Poland Economy Minister Waldemar Pavlak stated plans to build a coal thermal electricity plant in Ukraine to supply Poland with electricity.

M. Rot says the plan, even a hypothetical one, will boost Poland’s bargaining position in its talks with the European Commission on CO2 quotas.

For Ukraine, which is eager to establish itself as an energy exporter, the project would be quite acceptable, the expert believes. For instance, Ukraine electricity supplies meet the needs of the Zamostya region in Poland.

However, the expert warns about the EU likely negative attitude to the project.

If Brussels keeps turning a blind eye to the Baltic states dependence on Russia for electricity supplies, it is because of the infrastructure inherited from the USSR, says M. Rot.

In the case of Ukraine, the bottom line is Poland’s desire to by-pass the EC sanctions. That is why Brussels won’t take the project lying down, the expert warns.

Meanwhile, the EC department on environment has announced they are studying the details of the project.