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Parliamentary question - P-003942/2017Parliamentary question
P-003942/2017

Landslide at the PPC's lignite mine in Amyntaio

Question for written answer P-003942-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Kostas Chrysogonos (GUE/NGL)

Following seismic tremors triggered by the activation of the tectonic fault in Amyntaio, Florina, on 10 June 2017, there was an extensive landslide in the area of the PPC's lignite mine on that site.

As a result, the lignite mine was almost totally destroyed, together with a large part of the technical equipment. Serious damage was sustained by the buildings and infrastructure of the neighbouring commune of Anargyri, resulting in the evacuation of the settlement and the declaration of an emergency[1]. According to some estimates, the extent of the damage may be close to, or above, EUR 1 billion, including the value of the lignite deposits that have been lost[2].

These disasters pose a potential risk to the stability of the national electricity system, since it is unsure whether the two local lignite power generating units of the Amyntaio plant with a total power of 600 megawatts will restart[3] and, if so, when.

In view of the above, will the Commission say: