Endesa detonates four cooling towers at As Pontes thermal plant in Galicia

Endesa carried out a controlled demolition of the four 99‑metre concrete cooling towers that have dominated the skyline of As Pontes, Galicia, for decades. The blast, executed on 30 July, was synchronized with a temporary shutdown of the nearby sub‑station to create a "zero‑energy" zone and involved the coordinated effort of the Civil Guard, local police, fire services, municipal authorities and regional agencies.

The towers, each weighing about 11,245 tonnes, represented roughly 45,000 tonnes of concrete and steel waste. More than 90 % of this material is slated for recycling: concrete will be reused as inert fill on site, while steel will be recovered for industrial use, bringing the project close to a "zero‑waste" outcome. The demolition is part of the broader de‑commissioning of the former coal‑fired power station, a programme that is already over 40 % complete and aims to finish the current phase by July 2028.

Local officials, including Mayor Valentín González Formoso, highlighted the extensive safety measures, temporary road closures, and a public information campaign to minimise impact on residents and industry. The operation mirrors a previous successful demolition at the Cerceda facility and underscores Endesa’s commitment to circular‑economy practices in the region.