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After a coal-fired power plant in the western Manisa province was partly shut down on December 31 because of failing to install chimney filters, around 45 thousand people in Soma town were left without hot water for two days.
Five other power plants were entirely closed for the same reason, Minister of Environment and Urbanism Murat Kurum announced yesterday (January 1).
CLICK - Minister of Environment: 5 Thermal Plants Entirely Closed
"The administrations of the closed thermal power plants will not be allowed to start operating again as long as they do not complete the required environmental investments," the minister said.
As for Soma Thermal Power Plant, Kurum said that if people began to meet their heating needs through their own means, there would be more air pollution. Therefore, two units of the plant were closed while four units will continue production, Kurum added.
'The company is primarily responsible'
The power plant resumed operations today (January 2) after receiving a temporary certificate of activity today (January 2), main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Manisa MP Ahmet Vehbi Bakırlıoğlu told bianet.
The heat generated during the production of electricity is used to heat the city water in Soma and four units of the plant will remain operational until the end of April, Bakırcıoğlu explained. The Regional Heating System is used in homes and workplaces by around 45 thousand people, he added.
Bakırlıoğlu said the power plant company is primarily responsible for what happened. Konya Şeker (Torku) bought the state-run plant and has not made the required environmental investments for years, he noted.
The Ministry of Environment and Urbanism and the Ministry of Energy are also responsible as they have not performed their supervising duties, according to Bakırlıoğlu. (HA/VK)
