Nuclear Power Stations and Heritage. The Vandellos-I nuclear power station in Tarragona

Identifier:  imarina:5938161

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina5938161

Authors:  Gonzalvo Salas, Carlos; Rodenas Garcia, Juan Fernando; Zuaznabar Uzkudun, Gillermo

Abstract:
The Vandellos-I nuclear power station in Tarragona is being decontaminated and dismantled until 2028. In 2028, at the end of the latency period, the final dismantling phase will begin. During this phase the reactor's caisson and internal structures will be removed, thereby freeing the entire site. Carrying out this operation demands a large amount of environmental and economic public resources. The disused structures of the Vandellos-I nuclear power station could be considered part of the recent industrial history awaiting activation in an enclave of scenic interest. This is due to their proximity to the sea and their excellent level of environmental protection since the surrounding area has been necessarily deprived both of tourist activity and urban development. In this article we explore the internal structure of the Vandellos-I nuclear power station as part of the collective memory and as a possible landmark in order to determine whether the site could be used to accommodate new public programmes rather than being dismantled and disappear from the landscape, which is its intended fate according to the government.