Four cooling towers of the former Endesa thermal power plant in As Pontes were demolished via controlled implosion on July 30 [1], [2].
The removal of these structures marks the final physical erasure of a coal-fired energy era in the province of A Coruña. By clearing the obsolete site, the municipality of As Pontes aims to repurpose the land and remove industrial remnants that have dominated the local skyline for decades.
The Ayuntamiento de As Pontes coordinated the demolition to ensure the site was cleared after the conclusion of the Festas del Carmen [1], [2]. The operation involved a synchronized explosive collapse to bring down the four massive concrete towers [4].
The plant, which first opened in 1976 [5], served as a primary energy hub for the region before its eventual closure. The decision to use explosive implosion was chosen to minimize the duration of the demolition process and reduce the risk to surrounding infrastructure.
Local officials said the timing was critical to avoid disrupting regional festivities. The demolition process follows a broader trend across Spain and Europe to decommission coal-fired assets in favor of renewable energy transitions.
As the dust settles, the site remains under the management of the municipality and Endesa. The removal of the towers is the most visible step in a larger decommissioning project designed to eliminate the environmental footprint of the former thermal station [3].
“Four cooling towers of the former Endesa thermal power plant in As Pontes were demolished via controlled implosion.”
The demolition of the As Pontes towers is a symbolic and practical milestone in Spain's energy transition. By removing the infrastructure of a plant inaugurated in 1976, the region is physically transitioning away from carbon-heavy energy production. This move allows for the potential redevelopment of industrial land, aligning with European Union goals to phase out coal and shift toward a decarbonized economy.
