Megalopoli Power Plant
Construction began in the mid-1960s just after the town was struck by the Arcadia earthquake in 1965. It took three to four years to complete. By 1971, electricity production began and mining also started. As all of its coal and lignite are being used up, the plant may close in a few years, potentially laying off hundreds of workers and causing a significant part of its economy to drop.
The power plant had been featured in an ERT documentary which was broadcast in April 2007.
Location
The plant is surrounded by Megalopoli's nearby forest to the southwest, the Alpheus River to the west and another to the north. The building is in the middle part, its towers are to the southwest and its reactors to the east. The plant can be seen around the valley, the Lykaio mountains to the north, its mountains to the north, the east and the west.
Environment
Pollution has been a problem in the area as sulphur and carbon dioxide (CO2) have been emptied as low as 200 m (660 ft) during windy and cloudy days and as high as 1 km (0.62 mi) during clear days, visible from as far as 20 km (12 mi) as well as northwestern Laconia. The main concern is dumping used-up coal into the Alfeios which ruins its water supply and nature as well as the ancient city of Megalopoli which saw marble and stone begin to rust. Also, as with all fossil fuel based plants, the Megalopoli Power Plant produces large amounts of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
Emission data
Units | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Megalopoli A (I-III) | 5,300,608 | 4,461,751 | 3,422,835 | 3,076,864 | 3,237,667 | 2,402,432 | 2,782,295 |
Megalopoli B (IV) | 2,190,791 | 2,914,168 | 2,694,745 | 3,009,880 | 2,658,081 | 2,847,872 | 2,418,698 |
Data: European Commission, 2015 |
See also
References
- ^ "Verified Emissions for 2014" (XLS). European Commission. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2015.