One of Greece’s oldest and most polluting power stations, in the town
of Ptolemaida in northern Greece, was shut down yesterday in what
Environment Minister Tina Birbili said was a move designed to show the
government’s determination to produce cleaner energy.
Birbili
pressed the button that led to one of the four lignite power plants in
Ptolemaida ceasing to produce energy for the first time since it was
opened in 1959. A project to build a new power station has already begun
and when the plant is completed, by 2015, all the other lignite units
in Ptolemaida will be closed.
“We are sending a clear message that
we are leaving the past behind,” said Birbili. “It is an honor for me
to shut down this unit, which polluted the environment, made living
conditions difficult and harmed the health of workers and local people.”
The
plant employees have been given jobs at other power stations.
("ekathimerimeni", 06/19-20/2010)