A roar, a cloud of dust and then silence. This is how the morning of October 29th ended in Piombino, with the demolition of the two iconic chimneys of the former Enel power plant in Tor del Sale. 197 meters high and visible from kilometers away, the towers had been part of the skyline of the Gulf of Follonica since 1977the year in which the thermoelectric power plant came into operation. Decommissioned in 2015, the power plant represented a symbol of the industrial era of Piombinoa past to which the city is trying to give a new face.
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The demolition of the chimneys, occurred via explosive microchargesis a fundamental step in the broader dismantling and reclamation project of the area. Where the power plant once stood, a symbol of an energy-intensive and polluting industry, a tourist-accommodation structure will be built, in line with the environmental and landscape vocation of the area.
Piombino turns the page
It is not the first time that Piombino has separated itself from a piece of its industrial history. In May it was the turn of the steelworks’ Afo 4 blast furnaceanother steel giant that has marked the city’s identity for decades. These demolitions mark the end of an era and the beginning of a new path, as he underlined last May the mayor Francesco Ferrari: “Piombino closes a page and moves towards diversification of its economy”.
The conversion of the Tor del Sale area into a tourist hub represents a great opportunity for Piombino. The city focuses on sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism. The redevelopment of the industrial site fits into this context, contributing to enhancing the landscape and creating new opportunities for economic development.
A new skyline for the Gulf of Follonica
The farewell to the chimneys changes the skyline of Piombino and the Gulf of Follonica forever. Instead of the imposing towers, the gaze will be able to return to the sea and the hills, rediscovering the natural beauty of the area. A significant change that symbolizes Piombino’s desire to look to the future, investing in sustainability and quality of life.
Challenges and opportunities
The reconversion of the Tor del Sale area represents an important challenge for Piombino. It will be essential to ensure that the new tourist center integrates harmoniously with the environmental and social context, creating jobs and enhancing local resources.
The demolition of the chimneys is only the first step of a long journey. But it is an important step, which demonstrates Piombino’s desire to leave its industrial past behind and to build a more sustainable future.
