5/28/2008

Strážske Power Plant Might Bring SKK 4 billion in Investment to the Region

J&T Group prepared a project intent for the new power plant at the area of Chemko Strážske company. This intent was submitted to the Slovak Ministry of Environment to determine the environmental impact assessment under EIA procedures. "Respect for the environment was a priority in designing the power plant project," says Tomáš David, director of J&T Energy Sector Development.

"We believe that the construction and operation of a new modern power plant and the entry of an economically strong investor would bring a new stimulus for the town and the whole region in regards to a sustainable economic and social development beneficial for every citizen," David points out.

The power plant would generate new income for the town of Strážske, where tax revenues coming from the operation of the power plant would play a significant role. The construction and operation of the power plant would create hundreds of new jobs both at the time of construction and after commissioning. In addition, many jobs would be created from the demand for servicing activities and the related plants. The power plant would significantly contribute to higher employment in the town and the entire region.

"If the power plant project is implemented, we will be ready to provide a direct financial assistance for the town of Strážske and neighbouring villages or generally beneficial projects within the region in order to improve the environment, infrastructure, to resolve issues of unemployment and to support healthcare, education, culture and sports. Total direct financial benefit for the town of Strážske and neighbouring villages, arising from the construction and operation of the new power plant would amount to several tens of millions in Crowns.

"It is also expected that about SKK 4 billion of total costs of the new power plant would be invested to the so-called local impact activities, which means that the investment would go directly to this region. "Local firms and people will benefit from this. The investment will contribute to economic growth and attract additional investors to the region," says David.

State-of-the-art and the best available technologies and procedures would be used in the new power plant, which will eliminate the impacts of the power plant on the environment. As can be seen from a dispersion study, environmental impacts of the new power plant on the town of Strážske and its surrounding would be minimal. The dispersion study shows that sulphur dioxide concentrations at the most adverse atmospheric conditions at any place would be lower than one fifth of the permissible value and concentration of solid pollutants would not exceed 2% of the average permissible value per year.

Apart from electricity generation, the new power plant can be useful in delivering heat to other firms in the town and possible deliveries of heat for the town of Strážske. So the new power plant can be used as a backup heat source for the town.

author: Martin Maňák - riaditeľ komunikácie skupiny J&T pre oblasť energetiky