Power utility PPC is expected to have reached a decision by next September on the fuel mix to be used at its prospective lignite-fired power station Ptolemaida V beyond 2028, when this facility’s lignite-based operation is planned to end and complete the government’s decarbonization process.

The decision is expected to coincide with next September’s planned launch for Ptolemaida V, currently being constructed as a lignite-fired unit. The government has announced a plan to withdraw all of PPC’s existing coal generators by the end of 2023.

PPC is now looking to make project adjustments at Ptolemaida V that will enable a fuel conversion at the facility for lignite-free operation beyond 2028. Natural gas, biomass and waste-to-energy incineration, even a combination of all three generation methods, have been included as possible options in state-controlled PPC’s new business plan.

The power utility has requested a study from Mitsubishi-Hitachi, constructing the Ptolemaida V project, on future fuel alternatives for the facility. Finalized decisions will be made once the study has been delivered.

PPC chief executive Giorgos Stassis, speaking at a recent general shareholders’ meeting, assured a decision will be made by September, 2020 once all alternatives have been examined for an optimal solution, both technically and economically.

Ptolemaida V, a project with a 0.61-GW capacity budgeted at 1.5 billion euros, is expected to post operating profit before interest, taxes and depreciation if CO2 emission right costs range between 30 and 35 euros per ton, Stassis has noted.