Lezama Demoliciones begins dismantling of As Pontes Power Plant

Works have officially commenced at the As Pontes Thermoelectric Power Plant in Spain. (PHOTO: Lezama)

The facility, owned by energy company Endesa, was the largest of its kind in the Iberian Peninsula, both in terms of infrastructure and installed power.

The dismantling work, which began October, is expected to take four years to complete and will free up approximately 600,000 square metres of space as a result.

According to Lezama Demoliciones, initial work has focused on dismantling equipment and infrastructure at the coal park adjacent to the facility, as well as recovering electrical equipment in external areas.

Scope of Works - Main Structures

The project includes the demolition of four metal boilers, each around 70 metres tall, and four concrete cooling towers measuring 96 metres in height. One of the most prominent structures on site is a single chimney that stands 356 metres high with a 36-metre base diameter.

The contractor highlighted the complexity of the project, noting the presence of a combined cycle power plant on an adjacent site, which to remain operational throughout the demolition works being carried out at As Pontes.

Lezama Demoliciones also stated that a key challenge of the project is managing waste and maximising material recovery. The company aims to limit landfill use to hazardous waste that cannot be repurposed.

Human and Mechanical Resources 

A range of specialist demolition equipment has been deployed to the site, including three long-arm machines and a Hitachi KMC 1200-S KTEG, which has a reach of 51 metres and weighs 200 tonnes. 

Lezama Demoliciones, which in recent years has increased its workforce from 30 to 40 employees to nearly 200, is expected to recruite a significant number of local workers to the project, as in keeping with its policy of hiring locally for long-term projects.

The contractor referenced its previous work on the dismantling of the Litoral Thermal Power Plant, where it collaborated with Caldererías Indálicas–a nearby company that had historically carried out maintenance works at Litoral Plant.

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