Congratulatory noises emanating from Alcúdia’s power station to drown out the roar of the furnaces. They are in the process of reducing both contaminants and the heat of gases escaping from the plant. Don’t want the temperature so hot, well they are trying not to artificially boost it. The environmental authorities are pleased, not least because of the proximity of the power station to Albufera.
One does wonder why the power station was ever sited where it is, given the eco-sensitivity of its neighbouring nature park. The answer is probably that it had to go somewhere, and in Alcúdia, away from the sight of the tourists and away from the coast (where the old one was), there would not have been many options; the land is too hilly otherwise. Of course it could have been located in another municipality, but that would have brought with it the problem of the transportation of coal that comes into the port in Alcúdia. The station is not the only one on the island – there is another in Palma – but it had to be near a port.
The power station runs on a mix of oil and coal. In the list of environmental villains, coal-fired stations are Category A offenders, so anything that gets the Alcúdia energy crim to rehabilitate itself is to be welcomed. Whatever contaminants are currently emitted, don't get the wrong impression - the air here is very clean, evidence of which is the amount of algae that grows on walls and in driveways.
While the power station, which resides on the road towards Sa Pobla is largely out of tourist sight and out of tourist mind, it isn’t always out of tourist earshot. A not uncommon complaint form those at, say, the Lagotel is the hum of the furnaces. Living three kilometres from the plant, the station can sometimes be heard, and heard loudly even at such a distance. And of course it isn’t always out of sight. Go to Albufera, line up some photos and there it is, brooding and mysterious. Not the most attractive of landmarks, but one we have to live with, as we cannot live without it.
QUIZ
Day before yesterday as it turned out – Robert Palmer. Today’s title – well, this is a follow-on to Robert Palmer, and it is …?
One does wonder why the power station was ever sited where it is, given the eco-sensitivity of its neighbouring nature park. The answer is probably that it had to go somewhere, and in Alcúdia, away from the sight of the tourists and away from the coast (where the old one was), there would not have been many options; the land is too hilly otherwise. Of course it could have been located in another municipality, but that would have brought with it the problem of the transportation of coal that comes into the port in Alcúdia. The station is not the only one on the island – there is another in Palma – but it had to be near a port.
The power station runs on a mix of oil and coal. In the list of environmental villains, coal-fired stations are Category A offenders, so anything that gets the Alcúdia energy crim to rehabilitate itself is to be welcomed. Whatever contaminants are currently emitted, don't get the wrong impression - the air here is very clean, evidence of which is the amount of algae that grows on walls and in driveways.
While the power station, which resides on the road towards Sa Pobla is largely out of tourist sight and out of tourist mind, it isn’t always out of tourist earshot. A not uncommon complaint form those at, say, the Lagotel is the hum of the furnaces. Living three kilometres from the plant, the station can sometimes be heard, and heard loudly even at such a distance. And of course it isn’t always out of sight. Go to Albufera, line up some photos and there it is, brooding and mysterious. Not the most attractive of landmarks, but one we have to live with, as we cannot live without it.
QUIZ
Day before yesterday as it turned out – Robert Palmer. Today’s title – well, this is a follow-on to Robert Palmer, and it is …?
(PLEASE REPLY TO andrew@thealcudiaguide.com AND NOT VIA THE COMMENTS THINGY HERE.)
No comments:
Post a Comment