Anticipated sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants

Abstract

Southeastern Europe (SEE), which includes Serbia, along with Germany and Poland, is one of the largest producers of solid fuels in Europe. Despite growing environmental concerns, coal, especially lignite, persists and remains the dominant fuel for electricity generation in this region. Concurrently, these power plants emerge as the predominant emitters of pollutants in all the observed states. To conduct a comprehensive analysis, data on major emitters within the European Union were gathered, allowing for a detailed comparison with SEE countries. A specific focus was placed on the thermal power plant Kostolac in Serbia, where the calculation of SO2 emissions for two thermoblocks was undertaken. Comparisons were drawn with emitters in EU countries, with a particular emphasis on SEE nations. The analysis involved data from wells that have undergone excavation over specific periods, facilitating an exploration of the correlation between calculated values, those from exploited wells, and projections of future SO2 emissions from new wells in areas earmarked for surface mining exploitation.