RENOVATION OF THE PRIOLO GARGALLO ENEL POWER STATION PRIOLO GARGALLO, SIRACUSA, ITALY, 2000-2003

At the beginning of the new millennium, the technological renovation of the Enel power stations – converted from oil/and/or coal combustion to methane – entailed a renewed image and improvement of the plant’s environmental impact. In the case of the power station situated in the industrial zone between Priolo Gargallo and Augusta, in the province of Siracusa, the ground plan of the old facility, built at the turn of the 1970s, was radically transformed and the original stations replaced by new production machinery. Regarding the plant’s reduced environmental impact and its architectural embellishment, translucent honeycomb polycarbonate (MakrolonR multi UV) shells, shaped to reduce their wind resistance, were used to clad the twin symmetrical steam regenerators. Between the two bearing frames, the two smoke ducts are gathered into a single cylindrical volume. By applying the philosophy of colours specially developed for power stations of this type, the smokestack is painted in a very delicate and evanescent pale blue-grey, the steam generator in a vivid yellow and the turbogas building in burnt red.

PROJECT aMDL Architetto Michele De Lucchi Srl - Michele De Lucchi

PROJECT TEAM Daniele Rossi (project leader), Carlo De Mattia, Michele Marozzini

CONSULTANTS Enel Power (structural framework and building contractor); Cosmeci, Selp, Bayer Polymers Sheet Europe (furniture)

CLIENT Enel Produzione

AREA 10.000 m2

CHRONOLOGY 2000-2003 design; 2003 completion

PHOTOGRAPHY Gabriele Basilico