Estimating the Health Henefits of Improved Fuel of the Montazer-Qaem Thermal Power Plant by Means of the New Version of SIMPACTS

Abstract

Fossil-fuel electricity generation has a variety of harmful impacts on the environment and human health. Air pollution is the most significant impact of fossil power generation on health. This study with employing SIMPACTS-2, applies the impact pathway approach to estimate the health impacts and costs caused by air pollution of the Montazer-Qaem thermal power plant in 2011-2016 period. The results show that by removing fuel-oil and increasing the share of natural gas, the total health cost decreases from 164.9 million in 2011 to 36.4 million in 2016 (USD year 2000). During this period, the health cost per generated electricity varies from 18.1 to 4.2 USD/MWh. The low qualities of fossil fuel and high population density around the power plant have been the main factors of the high health damage costs. The health external costs can be reduced through fuel improvements. Internalizing the external costs into the price of electricity can show the true costs of fossil electricity. By taking appropriate measures, the benefits to the society can be increasedت

Keywords

• montazer-qaem thermal power plant
• air pollution
• health external costs
• impact pathway approach