German energy giant, E.On has confirmed it is investing in new Lignite or Brown coal plants in Turkey.
The firm, one of the UK's big six utilities, recently completed the purchase of a 50% stake Turkish utility Enerjisa Enerji in a deal which saw it sell it's holdings of some European hydro-electric power assets.
The move is part of the German firm's ambitious global expansion strategy which has also included investments in Brazil and Russia.
However the Turkish move means E.On will be funding the construction of a new Lignite power plant at Tufanbeyli in Turkey. The 450MW project includes the construction of a new lignite coal mine in southern Turkey and is close to a number of other planned plants raising local health concerns.
Lignite - or brown coal - is less efficient to burn and has a higher sulpher content.
Not only does this mean that it creates more greenhouse gas emissions per unit of power than 'hard coal' - itself the next most polluting fuel - but it also has serious health impacts.
The link to a major new lignite investment in Europe may be awkward for E.on which has argued against coal power and says it is trying to reduce emissions from its plants around the world.
"Lignite power stations churn out large amounts of carbon dioxide, with a comparably low level of efficiency. Thus they hold little meaning for E.ON," the firm says on its site, adding:
"For environmental reasons, emissions from coal energy production must be reduced".
The firm wants to halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
The company recently criticised European MEPs for failing to pass measures toughening up Europe's own emissions trading scheme to reduce coal burning in the economic area. Turkey remains committed to EU membership.
However when criticised by campaigners at the annual meeting E.On chief executive Mr Teyssen claimed Lignite was important to Turkish energy policy.
"EON has a coal project in Turkey," he said, "but we don’t know about the future of our coal projects in Turkey".
He added that he hoped his tie up would also concentrate on hydro-electric and wind power schemes.
