The government of Kosovo is investigating the cause of an explosion at the Kosovo A coal-fired power plant in Kosovo.
The blast is reported to have killed three and injured 13 workers at the plant, which generates nearly half of Kosovo’s electricity needs and which has been branded as one of the worst polluters in Europe by the World Bank.
The explosion on 6 June is believed to have been caused by gas and was heard in Pristina, 10 km away from the plant site, according to AFP newswires.
Outgoing Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci visited the plant shortly after the blast occurred.
The 800 MW Kosovo A plant comprises five generating units that were commissioned between 1962 and 1975. Kosovo’s government has already set plans in motion to build a new coal-fired power plant that would replace part of Kosovo A’s capacity and help to overcome energy shortages.
According to the Kosovo Energy Corporation, Kosovo A’s two oldest generating units are out of operation while a third operates as reserve capacity. The entire plant is scheduled to be closed by 2017.
Kosovo B, a 650 MW coal-fired power plant dating back to 1983, is also due for major upgrades.
Sian Crampsie
