Villagers Win the Struggle, Thermal Power Plant Project in Çerkezköy Cancelled

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The project of a coal-based thermal power plant, which was planned to be constructed on an oak forest in the village of Pınarça in Çerkezköy, Tekirdağ, has been cancelled after a negative Environmental Impact Assessment report has been issued for the project.

In February, 2017, a decree of urgent expropriation was published on the Official Gazette, foreseeing the construction of a coal-based thermal power plant on a 1,346 acre area including agricultural lands. Since then, the people of Tekirdağ and Greenpeace have struggled against the project.

CLICK - They Stand Up to Construction of Thermal Plant to Save Forest

Other projects should also be cancelled

Greenpeace also demands that more than 40 power plants planned to be built in the region should be cancelled.

Onur Akgül, who is responsible for Climate and Energy Projects at Greenpeace Mediterranean, has said,

"The determined struggle of the people of Tekirdağ, especially that of women, who want to protect their forests and living spaces, have borne fruit. This victory belongs to the people of Tekirdağ, who have been defending life against coal-based power plants for two years, as it is also the case in Gerze and Yırca.

"The negative Environmental Impact Assessment report given for this project has shown that the related amendment which designates the forest land as an 'Energy Production Area' should also be cancelled."

Two other coal-based thermal power plant projects

There are also two other coal-based thermal power plants planned to be constructed in Vize and Kırklareli in Thrace. Greenpeace Mediterranean has also be demanding that these two similar projects be cancelled. The organization has been asserting that the projects will have a negative impact on the air, water and agricultural lands in the region.

According to a study conducted by Greenpeace, if the three coal-based thermal power plants are built in Çerkezköy, Vize and Kırklareli, it will cause 11,230 early deaths in 40 years. (PT/SD)