Stripping a power station

Seven years ago, in 2015, I embarked on a rather uncommon professional path unlike anything I'd done before, which took me from the world of renewable energies in which I'd spent more than a decade building wind farms in Spain and Latin America, and even the first photovoltaic solar plant in Chile, to take charge of the start-up of the thermal projects of Endesa Generación. You could say that I went from renewable energies to coal. And within that change I went a little further, and began to take over the dismantling of the thermal power plants that Endesa decided to close down, although this included other kinds of projects, such as the environmental adaptation of thermal power plants, the reduction of emissions, and the improvement of efficiency in operating plants.

So, in February 2021, I started the first process of dismantling an Endesa plant, the Andorra Thermal Power Plant, in the province of Teruel. When they told me about it, I had mixed feelings; I was very sad to think that I was going to be "responsible" for making what was a symbol for many people and for an entire region disappear, I was planning the "destruction" of what many people had put a lot of effort into building, and it made me think of my children, who are studying technical careers and who will never see a thermal power plant that I knew in operation. But in the end I feel that I'm experiencing a unique change of cycle, and that the dismantling of thermal power plants opens a new future for these areas that were the engine of our country.

“The dismantling of thermal power plants should be seen not as a final era of something, but quite the opposite: as the first stage of a new era”.

These dismantling works in which we are involved are necessary for other industrial activities to be developed, other forms of energy such as renewables. Quite the opposite. We are talking about retrofitting obsolete plants to replace coal-fired power with renewable power. That's how we have to look at it.

This is the right perspective, and, as far as I can see, the people of Andorra and the surrounding areas are already doing so. Although there was that logical reaction at the beginning, due to the change of a facility known and rooted in the area for many years, I think people are assimilating that the closure was necessary as a first step for the new form of generation, and that the economic life of the town does not end with the old plant. The dismantling work guarantees local employment and the renewable energy facilities that will replace it will give it continuity. A future that is always energetic, but adapted to the times.

There are more than 200 people working in Andorra in the dismantling, and you could say that we've formed a family that will be together for 5 years. That family is made up of local labour, and even the residents, who begin to see the dismantling as an opportunity in itself for today and for the future, thanks to renewable energy facilities.

In addition, the dismantling of the Andorra plant will be a pioneering project in certain aspects. For example, it will be the first time that we will be using explosives to take down metal structures, such as the boiler, scheduled for the end of 2023.

Maximum safety

The most delicate thing about dismantling, in fact, is that everything is based on manpower, so it is crucial to create an environment of maximum safety. The project of dismantling a thermal power plant can be considered as complex, critical and durable, just like its construction.

“The project of dismantling a thermal power plant can be considered as complex, critical and durable, just like its construction”.

It can take around nine months to just draw up the project. Then, the closing authorisation can take a year and a half. Once this part is completed, the dismantling is carried out by zones: desulphurisation, limestone park, coal park, boilers, turbine area and slender structures (chimney, cooling towers, etc.). The forecast is that the land will be at zero level by December 2024, which is possible thanks to the 200 people who are working every day at the plant.

With the dismantling of the Andorra Thermal Power Plant we are contributing to the future, so that energy transition can be consolidated.  And I'm happy to be part of this team and to contribute, hand in hand, with so many people to open a new future for the area with the new renewable energy facilities where, as I said at the beginning, I started years ago, getting involved in this project.

Beatriz Muñiz

Head of Thermal Generation Projects.