Flooding Threatens Coal-Fired Power Plant

While the rainfall has stopped for now, the risk of flooding continues for the Nikola Tesla coal-fired power plant located on the Sava River near Obrenovac, Serbia (Figure 1).

1. Flooding from the Sava River has affected many parts of Obrenovac, Serbia. Courtesy: EPS

The 1,502-MW “A” plant (Figure 2) has six units and is operated by Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS), the state-owned electric utility company. The plant was shut down on May 16 due to trouble in the electrical substation, which occurred following heavy rainfall. Sandbags have been placed in many areas around the plant to protect it from high water levels, and seven pumps are being used to extract groundwater from the facility. The river is expected to crest on May 21.

2. Water levels are high at the six-unit Nikola Tesla “A” coal-fired power plant. Courtesy: EPS

Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Aleksandar Antic visited the site along with Aleksandar Obradovic, acting director of EPS, on May 19 to assess the situation. Antic noted that in order for the plant to return to service, the railway to Lazarevac would need to be available for lignite deliveries from the Kolubara coal basin, which he suggested would occur by Wednesday or Thursday.

Obradovic noted that protecting the facility was the immediate priority, but that contingency plans were also in place to evacuate workers if the water could not be held back (Figure 3).

3. Some areas of the Nikola Tesla “A” plant are already under water. Courtesy: EPS

The floodwaters have also caused problems at other Serbian facilities. EPS’s Kostolac and Morava plants have been struggling with high water levels and the Kolubara mine experienced partial flooding as well.

—Aaron Larson, associate editor (@AaronL_Power, @POWERmagazine)