The Šoštanj lignite power plant is ranked the most polluting industrial facility in Slovenia by the European Environment Agency. Air pollutant emissions from the plant expose a large number of people to PM2.5, NO2 and mercury pollution. If the plant operates until 2042, we project approximately 1,100 deaths due to air pollutants and mercury exposure from the plant.
The total economic costs associated with the health impacts would be EUR 2.7 billion. If the plant is retired in 2033, the number of deaths could be reduced to 780, and economic damages could be reduced to EUR 2.0 billion.
