Last coal fired power plant in Norway to close

[ombugge]

Yes the Russian/Ukrainian company Trust Arcticugol still run a coal mine at Barentsburg, but it is not profitable and the aim is to go into tourism in big style.

Like for the Norwegians, coal mining is not either profitable in Barentsburg. Last year, 140,000 tons of coal were taken out from beneath the permafrost, more than a kilometre down below sea level. 30,000 tons were burned at the local coal power plant, providing heat and electricity to the settlement. The rest was shipped to Great Britain. About 150 people, mainly Ukrainians, work in the state-owned mining company Trust Arcticugol (Arctic Coal).
With about 450 inhabitants, this is a company town by all means. Consequently, it is Trust Arcticugol that now has initiated a tourism leg of its organization.

The coal fired power station there will also be shut down when alternative power source is established.

Link:
'Barentsburg aims to move from dirty coal to become gateway for Russia's Arctic tourism | The Independent Barents Observer