Filenews 23 August 2022 - by Chrysanthos Manolis
The issue of the serious technical problems presented in the relatively brand new - and costly - denitrification system installed by EAC on its steamers in Vasilikos has already taken the legal route and the legal advisor of the Authority is handling the claim for compensation from the contractor who had undertaken the installation of the system.
The whole thing is directly related to the white and black smoke that diffuses into the atmosphere from the foyer of units 1, 2 and 3 in Vasilikos, causing great concern and protests from the residents of the neighbouring communities.
Yesterday, EAC published a letter to the affected communities, in which it reassures again that emissions from the foyer remain within EU standards, but refers to the full resolution of the problem in 2024.
According to the letter:
* The air quality around the Vasilikos station is measured and evaluated in real time, 24 hours a day, through specialized Mobile Units of the EAC and the Department of Labour Inspection. The measurements are presented on the website (EAC - Κεντρική σελίδα), which any citizen can visit. Based on the results, the measurements are within the relevant limits set by the Commission.
* The denitrification system has presented a number of technical issues, affecting the operation of other auxiliary systems of the boilers, as a result of which they are temporarily disabled. EAC will immediately award the relevant contracts for the execution of the necessary corrective works.
* The white colour observed at the outlet of the chimneys is due either to excess air / oxygen combustion during periods of sharp decrease in load, or to the presence of water vapor in the exhaust gas. At times within the 24-hour period, smoke of dark colour is observed, which is part of the normal operation of boilers and occurs either during the moments of a sharp increase in the load of one unit, or during the process of flushing in the three boilers. According to the EAC, the levels of pollutants, even with the anti-pollution technologies out of order, are similar to those that were in force before their installation.
On the occasion of the letter, we asked the spokesperson Christina Papadopoulou "why did you contact the construction companies of the units and not the contractor of the denitrification? The problem is in the units (combustion) or in the denitrification system?" and replied that "EAC has terminated the contract with the company that undertook the installation of the denitrification systems and the matter has taken the legal route. The problem is in denitrification systems. The combustion in the boilers has already been checked by the manufacturers of the boilers without any problem having been identified."
When asked by "F" whether "contracts will be awarded to manufacturers or tenders will be announced?" and whether "will it be legal to award without bids?", the EAC replied that "there will be notices of relevant tenders and the request for tenders from both the manufacturer of the Boilers No. 1 and 2 as well as by the manufacturer of the boiler No.3 (p.s. only), always in accordance with the legal procedures".
When asked if there is an issue of claiming compensation from the contractor, Mrs. Papadopoulou replied that "the issue of claiming compensation on behalf of EAC is handled by the legal advisor of EAC".
