Enemalta plc is entering the second phase of the dismantling of the Marsa Power Station with the demolition of two of its five chimneys and three heavy fuel oil tanks.
Earlier this week, demolition contractors started preparing for the demolition of the 42-metre high, five-metre wide chimney that formed part of the 1966 extension of the power station. It is now being cut into sections and lowered to ground level using a 200-tonne crane.
In the meantime, the three fuel tanks are being cleaned of any residues, before they are dismantled. Where possible, the materials removed will be re-used or recycled. A second, smaller chimney will also be demolished as part of these works.
The dismantling of the Marsa Power Station started in October 2014, when Enemalta demolished several air intake shafts, disused stores and other related structures to provide access to the fuel tanks that are being dismantled this month. As soon as this area was cleared, the Company also started excavation works for the building of a new distribution centre, which will replace the distribution network node currently located at another part of the power station site. The 132kV Marsa North Distribution Centre will be one of the most important links of the Maltese electricity grid, providing increased capacity, flexibility and security of supply to several parts of the country.
The contracts for the building of the new distribution centre and the installation of its equipment have been awarded and construction works will begin this summer.
Last month, after the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) approved Enemalta’s plans for the clearing of all other areas of the power station, the Company issued a call for offers for the dismantling of the remaining structures and equipment. Interested parties can submit their offers by Friday, 3rd July.
The selected contractor will be required to coordinate and execute the safe dismantling of all structures, except for the Administration Building and the underground tunnels where the oldest part of the station is located. Boilers, turbines, water pumps, chimneys, transformers, switchgear, fuel tanks and other related equipment will be cleaned, dismantled and disposed of in accordance to all applicable health and safety, waste management and environment protection regulations. Enemalta plc is demanding that contractors take all necessary precautions to avoid inconveniences or safety risks to nearby residents and workers.
The Marsa Power Station was shut down on 9th March 2015, and is being temporarily maintained on cold standby, pending final decommissioning. The decommissioning and dismantling of the Marsa Power Station forms part of Enemalta’s plan to transform the country’s electricity generation sector by ending the use of less-efficient oil-fired generators and shifting to cleaner technologies, including gas-fired plants and renewable sources. As soon as the new gas-fired plant at the Delimara Power Station is completed, the Company will also fully-decommission the few remaining Marsa Power Station units still on cold standby.
Ing. Fredrick Azzopardi, the Company’s Executive Chairman, explained that once the final dismantling contract is awarded, the remaining works are expected to gather pace by the beginning of next year. “The Company is focusing on maintaining its positive momentum in the implementation of ongoing projects in electricity generation and distribution. We are collaborating with our strategic partners in the development and conversion of more efficient gas-fired plants at the Delimara Power Station whilst completing a number of new distribution centres and other related infrastructures to consolidate our distribution network. In addition, we are also retraining our staff and streamlining all operations to achieve our financial goals and provide improved services to our customers.”
Commenting on this development, the Minister for Energy and Health, Dr Konrad Mizzi, noted that this is another milestone in the decommissioning of the Marsa Power Station, which has been promised for years but had not yet materialised. Switching off this power station resulted in cleaner air for the residents of Marsa and other nearby localities.
Photos Enemalta