The main power utility PPC is preparing an environmental and energy upgrade plan to be presented to the European Commission in an effort to gain a 32,500-hour extension for its 600-MW lignite-fired power station in Amynteo, northern Greece. Its permitted operating time now has just 39 days to go before an initial 17,500-hour extension granted by Brussels expires.

PPC hopes the European Commission will eventually add even more time to the 32,500-hour extension currently being sought for the Amynteo facility.

The power utility insists its Amynteo unit needs to continue producing electricity to ensure sufficiency for the grid and support a telethermal effort in the nearby provincial city Florina.

For the time being, the European Commission, guided by its decarbonization and environmental protection policies, does not appear likely to grant Amynteo a 32,500-hour extension.

However, the Greek energy ministry and state-controlled PPC do appear to have ensured a small extension for the Amynteo unit covering the winter season for coverage of its telethermal and grid needs, energypress sources informed.