Endesa has successfully demolished one of the two chimneys of the Candelaria thermal power plant in Tenerife, marking a significant milestone after six months of intensive work. Nine workers and two cutting-edge robots were employed to dismantle the 76.5-meter-high structure, which had been inactive since October 3, 2010.
In addition to the chimney, the project involved the dismantling of steam groups 3 and 4, which had been decommissioned after clocking 487,770 hours of operation. Steam groups 1 and 2, which had similar lifespans, were also removed as part of the initiative, according to a statement released by Endesa on Tuesday.
The dismantled chimney, standing at 76.5 meters tall with a base diameter of eleven and a half meters, yielded 400 tons of concrete during the demolition process. Two cutting-edge robots were employed for the first time in the Canary Islands to extract 300 tons of concrete, while the remaining 100 tons were cleared using a backhoe during the final phase.
The dismantling operation began at the top of the chimney, with workers accessing the site via a specially-installed elevator, which ferried them up in a 25-30 minute journey.
Two state-of-the-art ‘Brokk 110’ robots, equipped with demolition hammers and shears, were used for the first time in this project. These robots, measuring 1.85 meters in length, 1.15 meters in height, and 0.78 meters in width with a weight of 990 kilos each, played a crucial role in the successful completion of the dismantling.
This initiative is part of Endesa’s commitment to decarbonisation and energy transition in the Canary Islands, symbolising a shift towards more sustainable energy practices.
The project has resulted in the recovery of 1,626 tons of iron and steel, 14 tons of aluminium, 3 tons of copper, 1,164 tons of concrete, 52 tons of insulation material, 10 tons of cables, and 180 tons of electrical equipment, totalling 3,052 tons of materials extracted during the dismantling process.
Most of these materials have been transported by sea to facilities in Europe for recycling, ensuring that 94% of the extracted material gets a second life.
Endesa Generación’s Thermal Projects Manager, Daniel Ruiz, highlighted the challenging weather conditions, including wind, heavy rain, heatwaves, and haze, which led to ten workdays being lost due to safety concerns during the operation.
