Erkan Akçay warns of economic risks facing Soma Thermal Power Plant

Erkan Akçay, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Group Deputy Chairman and Manisa Deputy, has raised concerns regarding the future of the Soma Thermal Power Plant. During a visit to the Soma District Organization, Akçay emphasized the plant's critical role in the local economy, noting that it serves as a primary source of livelihood for thousands of citizens, including workers, miners, transporters, and local businesses.

Akçay criticized the management of the plant following its privatization to Konya Şeker (TORKU) for 685.5 million dollars. He alleged that since the privatization, the plant has not been operated at full capacity, staff numbers have been reduced, and necessary renewal works have been neglected. He specifically highlighted the failure to install flue gas filters as a threat to public health and the environment.

Due to debts owed to Turkish Coal Enterprises (TKİ) and mining operations, the plant has faced production halts. Akçay warned that these disruptions jeopardize the stability of 13,000 miners, over 1,000 transporters, and approximately 12,000 families who rely on the plant for heating.