In Spain energy demand is covered in many ways. A percentage goes to fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, and another percentage to renewable energies. The electricity demand in Spain has remained constant after several increases and decreases in recent years. In this case, we are going to talk about the different coal-fired power plants what is in our country and how they work.
If you want to know how electricity demand is covered and what percentages are allocated to each sector, just keep reading 🙂
Electricity demand in Spain
Our demand for electricity at the national level registered a decrease in 2014. The coverage of energy demand was divided into several sectors to achieve the objectives on time. 22% of the country's total energy was supplied by nuclear sources. Nuclear power generates great controversy in many sectors of society. There are all those defenders who say that it is clean and safe energy. On the other hand, there are the detractors, who defend the dangerousness of their waste and possible nuclear accidents such as the one that occurred in Fukushima in 2011.
Wind energy, clean and renewable, supplied 20,3% of the demand for energy in Spain. Turning to the important thing, coal, reached 16,5% of the energy generated. Of 100% of the electricity production from the burning of coal, 86% are distributed among the 10 best-known thermal power plants.
Meirama thermal power plant
This thermal power plant ranks last in the ranking for being the one that generates the least amount of energy. It belongs to Gas Natural Fenosa. It is a conventional cycle thermoelectric installation. It is located in the parish of Meirama (A Coruña). Its electricity production capacity is at 563 MW. Use coal for fuel.
It was put into operation in December 1980 and was considered one of the most important in the entire country. The investment had a cost of 60.000 million pesetas. It is built on a lignite deposit. In this way, they managed to take advantage of this fuel to generate electricity. Reserves from mining were estimated at about 85 million tons.
The evacuation of gases is carried out through a 200 meter high chimney, with a diameter of 18 meters at the base and 11 at the mouth.
Los Barrios Thermal Power Plant
It is a conventional coal-fired thermal power plant that is located in the municipality of Los Barrios (Cádiz). Its power is around 589 MW, so it is close to that of Meirama. At the beginning of its construction, the company that was in charge was Sevillana Electricidad. Later, this company was absorbed by Endesa. In June 2008, the company E.ON, in the acquisition of Electra de Viesgo and Endesa's assets, bought from the latter a package consisting of the Los Barrios Thermal Power Plant.
The coal used to generate energy is of the coal type. It has excellent technical and environmental qualities due to its high calorific value and low sulfur content.
Narcea thermal power plant
This plant is a conventional cycle thermoelectric installation. It is located in the municipality of Asturias. Has three thermal groups of 55,5, 166,6 and 364,1 MW, respectively. This makes its overall power about 596 MW. The plant began operating in the early 60s. Today it belongs to Gas Natural Fenosa.
It is totally designed to use as fuel the coal that is in the Narcea River basin. This coal is extracted from the mines in the councils of Tineo, Cangas del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias, and also from the Villablino area of León.
Soto de la Ribera thermal power plant
Also located in Asturias about 7 km from Oviedo, it is made up of two generating units. The total power is about 604 MW. It has two new groups of combined cycles called Soto 4 and Soto 5.
Central Robla
This plant belongs to Gas Natural Fenosa and it is a conventional cycle facility fired with coal. It is located next to the Bernesga river, in the municipality of La Robla. Its power is about 655 MW. It has been located in a strategic place that helps with good road and rail communications. It is located at an altitude of 945 meters.
The coal it consumes comes mainly from the nearby Santa Lucía, Ciñera and Matallana basins, which reaches the plant by road and conveyor belt. It has a large daily consumption of coal estimated at 6.000 tons.
Aboño Central
It is located between the municipalities of Gijón and Carreño. Being close to the Aceralia Factory in Veriña, it can take advantage of all the surplus steel gases. In this way they save on power generation. Its installed power is about 921 MW. It has two generating units.
The coal is of the coal type, both national and imported. The two power generating units use various fuels, both solid, liquid and gaseous.
Central Andorra
Located in Teruel, it is better known as the thermal power station of Andorra. It is a thermoelectric facility that uses lignite coal as fuel. It is owned by Endesa today. Its production is at 1.101 MW, which is why it is considered one of the ones that generates the most energy.
Its tallest chimney is 343 meters high. The lignite used has only 7% sulfur. The plant consists of three generation groups.
Littoral thermal power plant
It is located in Carboneras (Almería) and consists of two power generating groups that reach a power of 1.158 MW. It currently belongs to Endesa and has had a significant impact on the Andalusian and Almeria socioeconomic systems, especially in the Carboneras area.
Despite all this, has obtained an ISO 14001 environmental management certificate through AENOR.
Compostilla Central
It is a conventional thermal power plant that produces the most energy. It is located next to the Bárcena reservoir, which ensures the availability of water. It belongs to Endesa and its power is 1.200 MW.
Puentes de García Rodríguez thermal power plant
It is the thermal power plant that generates the most amount of energy through coal in all of Spain. It is located in the municipality of As Pontes and is a conventional power plant. It has four generator groups. The plant has obtained the ISO 14001 environmental management certificate from AENOR, which certifies that its activities are carried out in a manner that is respectful of the environment.
Its generation power is 1468 MW. It currently belongs to Endesa.
With this information you will be able to know the thermal power plants in Spain and how much energy they produce.