Expert report related to lawsuits against port and plant construction published

• The construction plans for sea and land are not compatible with each other, and together these plans are contrary to the İskenderun Bay (Adana-Mersin-Hatay) Integrated Coastal Areas Plan's relevant principles;

• In the EIA reports and other reports, important topics regarding spawning grounds of sea turtles are not investigated and addressed comprehensively. There is no mention of how the sea turtles (Caretta Caretta) will be affected by coal-carrying ships while trying to reach spawning areas;

• In one of the reports (scientific report), there are many precautions proposed to be taken to protect the sea turtles under protection. If all of the measures are followed completely, the coal plant can be considered as not risky, but it is not realistic or possible to implement all these precautions completely.

Construction of the Emba Hunutlu coal power plant has started

In May 2019, the company initiated the construction of the coal power plant project. However, it was paused in June because of the tortoise nesting season, according to the local conservation group EKAD.

ESI Eurosilo receives order for large coal silos for the Emba Hunutlu coal power plant

In April 2019, Dutch company, ESI Eurosilo, announced that it received a large order with the request for three large coal silos for the EMBA Hunutlu power plant. The first silo is agreed to be delivered at the beginning of 2020 and full delivery to be finished at the end of 2020 (Powertechnology.com).

Interventions at the second Belt and Road forum in April 2019

Just before the second Belt and Road forum which took place in Beijing in late April, the groups HEAL, WWF Turkey, TEMA Foundation, Climate Action Network Europe (CAN-Europe) and Eastern Mediterranean Environmental Protection Platform issued a joint press release describing the unlawful environmental and health effects of the Hunutlu project.

Meanwhile, during the second Belt and Road forum SEP issued a statement, declaring: “SEP will join hands with various parties to construct the project into a clean, efficient, reliable and beautiful world-class power plant, and create a crown jewel of the power industry around the Mediterranean Sea.”   

Ankara court decides not to cancel Emba Hunutlu project permit

On 30th of October 2018, the hearing of the court case by Adana Bar, Turkish Bar Associations, Medical Chamber of Adana, Agriculture and Engineers Chamber of Adana Doğu Akdeniz Çevre Dernekleri (East Mediterranean Environment Associations) was held in Ankara. Despite the expert report, which stated the harmful effects of the plant, the Ankara District Administrative Court decided not to cancel the permit of the Emba project.

Expert report confirms impacts of Emba Hunutlu coal power plant project

In January 2018, the expert report for the court case filed by Adana Bar, Turkish Bar Associations, Medical Chamber of Adana, Agriculture and Engineers Chamber of Adana and Doğu Akdeniz Çevre Dernekleri (East Mediterranean Environment Associations) was published, acknowledging that the Emba Hunutlu coal power plant would harm the public health and agricultural production in the area.

TEMA files lawsuit

In July 2017, TEMA (Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, for Reforestation, and the Protection of Natural Habitats) filed a lawsuit to cancel the urban plan revisions of the Emba Hunutlu project, granting the permission to build the coastal structures of the coal plant on biodiversity conservation grounds. TEMA objects the legality of the project’s permit on a conservation site designated for internationally protected marine turtles.

Lawsuits filed against seven coal power plant projects

In June 2016, Adana Bar, Turkish Bar Associations, Medical Chamber of Adana, Agriculture and Engineers Chamber of Adana and Doğu Akdeniz Çevre Dernekleri (East Mediterranean Environment Associations) filed a lawsuit against seven coal plant projects in the region including Emba Hunutlu.