“Not Terror, Not Mine, but Thermal Plant Martyr”

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People in Turkey’s northern Çatalağzı district of Zonguldak province have reacted against plans to build another thermal power plant in addition to current five plants which leave the district without oxygen.

CLICK - COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS CHOKE ZONGULDAK

According to Greenpeace’s measurement in 2014, air pollution in the city is three times more than safe limit of World Health Organization (WHO). 

The meeting “Environmental Impact Assessment” organized by Iron Mining was cancelled due to people’s protest against it.

Çatalağzı Mayor, Adnan Akgün, went into the coffin at mosque yard to protest against it.

Coffin written on “not terror, not mine, but thermal plant martyr” was carried from Kilimli Grand Mosque to assembly room 100 meters away where the meeting would be held. Akgün here coming off the coffin made a speech.

The authorities have left the district after they took the minutes stating the meeting couldn’t be held.

There are six plants of which four are active, two under construction

The city is also where the first thermal power plant was built in republic history. Firstly, a thermal power plant was built in Çatalağzı by state in 1946. It was shut down in 1991 after it expired, and a new one, which has been purchased by Elsan firm, has been built by the state.

However, what have winded the city are the two thermal power plants with power of 1,390 megawatt built by Eren Holding in 2010. Besides, there are two thermal power plants of 1,400 megawatt power to be completed by 2016. (NV/TK)