In April 2015, Enel Generación Chile received environmental approval of its Bocamina II optimization project which included various environmental undertakings such as covers for its coal storage yards, the confining of units that create noise and the installation of technologically-advanced filters for the plant’s cooling system which are already in operation.
Bocamina currently complies with all environmental standards and has all the necessary permits. Thanks to the efforts made to implement these environmental improvements in which Enel Generación invested over US$102 million, the plant’s environmental standards are today among the highest in the country.
The improvements implemented include monitoring of PM2.5 in the online air quality network and the installation of technologically-advanced filters for the cooling system in both units which, moreover, started operation ahead of schedule.
It also boasts systems that minimize emissions such as a desulfurizer, dust collectors and low-emission burners, as well as having in place operational procedures that ensure the reduction of emissions.
The roofing of the coal storage yard is part of the undertakings that Enel Generación Chile entered into under the Environmental Approval Resolution (RCA) for Bocamina. This initiative will transform Bocamina into the first plant of its kind in the country with this modern system.
The covering will permit improvements in logistics as regards the operational management of coal for the production of power, ensuring the highest environmental standards.
Innovation in Construction
A system comprising a geodesic metallic structure was selected to cover the yard. It has multiple features including being self-supporting, light and easy to adapt to the lay of the land. This shortens the construction time since it can be assembled like a large jigsaw puzzle by the technical crew over the entire area without the use of cranes. Once the structure is complete, a cover with ribbed metallic sheets will be placed on top, similar to those used in all kinds of industrial plants.
Power for the people
The company’s Social Plan for the community of Coronel reflects a new vision of community relations that seeks to promote initiatives based on communication and engagement with and the responsibility of different social players.
One example of this was the opening in 2015 of a pre-school and day care center in Rayún (La Peña sector) for over 100 children. This was possible thanks to a working agreement between the Municipality of Coronel, the Integra Foundation and Enel Generación Chile.
The Coronel Enel Cup for school five-a-side soccer, which forms part of the company’s Power for Education program, also contributes to this task. In 2016, over 300 students from 22 schools participated in this activity which seeks to reinforce positive values related to sports and recreation.
The city of Coronel is renowned for its history and culture and, currently, for the drive of its entrepreneurs and the great potential it has to create new services. This innovating energy is what Enel Generación Chile promotes through the Energy for Your Enterprise Grant Fund, a program that focuses on strengthening the capabilities of micro-entrepreneurs from the community and supporting the local economy by providing grants for creative initiatives that contribute to the community’s development.
The Fund, which is spearheaded by Enel Generación and implemented by Corparauco, has been well received since it was launched in December 2015. More than 1,000 entrepreneurs applied for grants from among whom, after numerous stages and evaluations, 73 burgeoning micro-entrepreneurs were selected.