Gacko Coal CHP Power Plant: 300 MW Coal-Fired Facility in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Gacko Coal CHP Power Plant is a coal-fired combined heat and power facility located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a capacity of 300 MW. The plant is operational and serves as a key component of the country's power generation infrastructure, providing both electricity and heat to the surrounding area. The plant operates on coal as its primary fuel, a common energy source in the Balkan region. Bosnia and Herzegovina's power sector is characterized by a mix of coal and hydroelectric plants, with coal-fired facilities like Gacko playing a significant role in baseload generation. The plant's technology and emissions are subject to national regulations aligned with EU standards, including the Industrial Emissions Directive, though specific compliance details are not publicly available. As a combined heat and power plant, Gacko enhances energy efficiency by utilizing waste heat for district heating or industrial processes. This dual-purpose operation reduces overall fuel consumption and emissions compared to separate heat and power generation. The plant's location in the Dinaric Alps region influences its environmental context, with considerations for local air quality and water usage from nearby rivers.

The Gacko plant's coal combustion releases CO2, SOx, NOx, and particulate matter, contributing to regional air pollution. Its location in a karst landscape with limited water resources may affect local hydrology. The plant's age and technology (likely subcritical) result in lower efficiency and higher emissions per MWh compared to modern supercritical or CCGT plants. Proximity to populated areas could amplify health impacts from emissions.