ENEL GREEN POWER
The demolition of the Compostilla towers in Spain, another step toward the energy transition

Another step has been taken toward quitting coal and accelerating the energy transition in Spain. Both cooling towers and the old smokestack have been demolished at the Compostilla plant in the El Bierzo area in the northwest of the country. It's a significant event that marks a new stage on the path toward decarbonization that had previously seen - in mid-2022 - the demolition of the cooling towers at the thermoelectric power plant in the town of Andorra, in the province of Teruel. These events are symbolic, as well as substantial, marking the end of the coal era and heralding the emergence of new renewable energy hubs and the blossoming of new socioeconomic projects.

A power plant that made history

The Compostilla thermal power plant, which opened in 1972 and subsequently expanded until 1985, was closed in June 2020, when its capacity was just over 1,000 MW (Megawatts). The complex occupies a total area of about 375 hectares. The plant has five thermal units: units 1 and 2 have been completely dismantled, while work is underway on the others.

Decommissioning work on the power plant began in June 2022 and currently operations are more than 50% complete. This is thanks to the contribution of specialized personnel, 80% of whom are from the local area.

The two towers, which are both 110 meters in height, were demolished by controlled explosion. During this process irrigation and misting systems were installed around the plants in order to minimize the impact of dust.

A plan for the future and the energy transition

The goal is to complete the decommissioning of the Compostilla plant by December 2025. Within a few years, it is expected that thermoelectric power generation in the region will be permanently phased out, and the Compostilla area will be used for new projects. These include renewable energy production facilities and the organization of vocational training courses for local people, with the aim of creating new businesses and jobs.

The plan for the El Bierzo area also includes developing a glass blast furnace in Cubillos del Sil and a wind blade recycling plant. Finally, together with the Urbaser company, we are working to shape the Novolitio enterprise, which will become the first center in the Iberian Peninsula for recycling lithium batteries for electric vehicles.