Si prefieres ver la web siempre en español, haz click aquí.
- For the demolition of one of the two 80.6-meter-high boilers, 274 kilograms of dynamite were used, 100 kilograms more than what was used when the plant's chimney was blown up last March.
- The detonation of metallic elements presents a significant challenge for the team of experts carrying out each controlled explosion during the plant's dismantling process. Therefore, cutting-edge technology is being employed in the design and calculation of the demolition project, along with drones that create 3D models and seismographs to study ground vibrations upon impact.
- Currently, around 177 people, 62% from the Carboneras area, are working on the plant dismantling process.
The dismantling of the Litoral Thermal Power Plant is proving to be a true technical challenge, as the use of explosives to demolish tall structures is uncommon in industrial facilities where steel is the primary material. For this reason, in Carboneras, Endesa, in collaboration with UTE Lecalde—comprising the Almería-based Caldererías Indálicas and the Biscay-based Lezama Demoliciones, a specialist in industrial dismantling—is utilizing the latest technology.
This includes drones that fly over the demolition area to conduct technical analyses of the infrastructure’s condition and movement, generating a 3D model that predicts the fall time and possible deviations considering weather conditions. Additionally, with the help of next-generation seismographs, ground vibrations are measured to ensure that no nearby structures are affected during future demolitions. Noise levels are also recorded both at the moment of the explosion and during the collapse. All these data are being collected in a database, allowing for increasing precision in subsequent operations.
In today’s demolition, the boiler of Group 2—the more modern of the two in the plant—was brought down. It began operations in 1997 with a capacity of 582 megawatts. Next to it stands the Group 1 boiler, which has a capacity of 577 megawatts and started operation in 1985.
Due to the proximity of both structures, preliminary analyses were crucial. These studies ensured that the more than 13,000 tons of iron in the boiler crumpled like paper despite its immense size. The metallic boiler stood 80.6 meters high—four times the height of the Cabo de Gata lighthouse—with porticos and 41 pillars, where transverse cuts were made to place the 273 kilograms of dynamite used in this explosion, 100 kilograms more than were used for the chimney demolition.
“The technical challenge with these metal structures lies precisely in their composition, which requires an exhaustive preliminary study to place the explosive charges in the correct locations to ensure the iron is cut,” explained Gianluca Tenca, head of the plant’s dismantling. “We had to put in a great deal of effort for this demolition, using 247 detonators and 300 meters of detonating cord, all made possible by an exceptional team working daily on the plant’s dismantling.”
Currently, around 177 people, 62% from the Carboneras area, are working on the dismantling process and the revaluation of the waste generated. The demolition of the boiler alone has produced approximately 12,350 tons of waste, with a revaluation rate exceeding 95%, ensuring near-zero waste.
This near-zero waste initiative is complemented by donations to various public and private entities in Almería and across Spain. Over 1,000 components have been donated, now finding a second life beyond the plant they served for 40 years.
Plant Data
The Litoral Thermal Power Plant was built under the Accelerated Coal Plant Plan drafted in 1979 to meet the growing electricity demand driven by Spain’s economic development. The facility covered 1,788,547 square meters in the municipality of Carboneras and consisted of two generation units with a combined capacity of 1,159 megawatts. Each unit comprised a boiler, turbine, and alternator as its core components.
Throughout its operational life, the plant produced over 180,000 GWh, equivalent to Andalusia’s energy consumption for four and a half years. In 2014, environmental improvements positioned the plant at the forefront of global technology.
The plant features a Port Terminal with maritime access to the Mediterranean and North Africa. Operational since 1985, the terminal was built with an investment of approximately 123 million euros and was dedicated to unloading coal for the Litoral Thermal Power Plant.
In 2014, through an agreement with the Port Authority of Almería, an investment was made to equip the terminal with a system capable of loading ships ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 tons for transport to other Enel Group plants in the Mediterranean. This led to an increase in fuel handling operations at the storage park.
These features and its geographic location make it a unique hub for receiving large-draft vessels from around the world. Since its construction, a total of 79,480,191 tons of solid bulk cargo have been handled.
Additionally, the Litoral Thermal Power Plant has hosted innovative projects, including a microalgae plant, the restoration of spoil heaps with native species, and a battery storage project, among other initiatives.
Currently, these projects have been relocated to remain operational. The microalgae plant, for instance, continues to operate on the plant's grounds but has expanded its facilities.
About Endesa
Endesa is a leading electricity company in Spain and the second-largest in Portugal. It is also the second-largest gas operator in the Spanish market. Endesa integrates electricity generation, distribution, and commercialization. The company also offers electric mobility services, leading in integrated energy solutions and charging points in Spain, along with other value-added services aimed at electrifying energy use in homes, businesses, industries, and public administrations. Endesa is firmly committed to the United Nations SDGs and actively promotes renewable energy development through Enel Green Power España, grid digitalization through e-distribución, and corporate social responsibility. In this regard, it also operates through the Endesa Foundation. Endesa employs around 9,000 people and is part of Enel, Europe’s largest electricity group.