Power unit at Aliveri illustrates PPC delays
The program for replacing the old electricity-producing plants of the Public Power Corporation (PPC) seems to be hanging by a thread. This is confirmed by the decision by the corporation’s administration last week to demote its general production director, Avraam Mizan, as well as the data it presented to the governing board to back its decision. It is also believed that the course of the plants renewal program will be a key factor regarding PPC’s finding its position amid the future stiffer competition on the local energy market. A typical example of the delays taking place in the program’s execution is the new plant at Aliveri in the prefecture of Evia, central Greece. This combined-cycle unit had been licensed for the production of 360-400 megawatts and was allocated to Metka for a supply of 427 MW. The PPC board therefore approved a project for which the license was not sufficient. The blame for that was placed on Mizan, who was also blamed for not making the necessary moves for the full and free allocation of the land for the unit’s construction. The choice of the location was also made without the essential inspection for any archaeological relics, which could have resulted in its belated relocation. PPC’s reasons for the director’s demotion also serve to show that the plant at Aliveri will not become operational before the end of 2010. It has said it is as yet unable to determine when the project will be completed or how much it will cost. The start of construction is already eight-and-a-half months late.
