Summary Report: Initial Assessment of Potential Impacts on Ambient Air Quality Relative to Emissions from Kosovo Thermal Power Plants (TPP) Units A and B

The assessment aimed to evaluate the effects of emissions from the power plants on ambient air quality in the surrounding areas. The study was conducted by The Cadmus Group, Inc. under contract to Advanced Engineering Associates International, Inc. for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Kosovo Mission. The assessment involved ambient air quality sampling and dispersion modeling to evaluate the impact of emissions from the power plants on ambient air quality. The sampling equipment used included Ogawa passive samplers, which were deployed at various locations around the power plants. The sampling results were analyzed for particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ammonia (NH3). The dispersion modeling was conducted using the AERMOD model, which is a widely used model for predicting air quality impacts from industrial sources. The model was used to estimate the concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and NH3 in the ambient air around the power plants. The modeled concentrations were compared to the European Union (EU) limit values for ambient air quality. The assessment results showed that the power plants were a significant source of air pollutants in the surrounding areas. The sampling results indicated that the concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and NH3 were above the EU limit values at some locations. The dispersion modeling results also showed that the power plants were a significant source of air pollutants, with modeled concentrations exceeding the EU limit values at some locations. The assessment identified several factors that contributed to the high concentrations of air pollutants in the surrounding areas. These factors included the high emissions rates from the power plants, the proximity of the power plants to the sampling locations, and the meteorological conditions, such as wind direction and speed. The assessment also identified several areas for improvement, including enhancing the dispersion modeling estimates, expanding the mobile ambient air sampling program, and further investigating SO2 emissions and fine particle formation. The assessment results have implications for the operation of the power plants and the management of air quality in the surrounding areas. The results suggest that the power plants should take steps to reduce their emissions rates and improve their air quality management practices. The assessment also highlights the need for continued monitoring and evaluation of air quality in the surrounding areas to ensure that the power plants are operating in compliance with EU regulations.