Explosion affects Nueva Renca thermoelectric plant

SANTIAGO.- According to the Nueva Renca Thermoelectric Generation Center, a safety valve within the boiler room at the plant burst just after 9:00 AM today due to excessive amounts of pressure. 

The head of plant operations explained that the problem arose because “the system is currently dealing a situation of surplus energy, contrary to what had been observed two weeks ago”.

Although no serious damage or injuries were reported, the plant was forced to halt activities in order to replace the valve.  The plant is expected to be back up and running within the next three to four hours.

The company pointed out that the problem would not affect the Nueva Renca Plant’s energy supply of approximately 370 MW, which accounts for almost 5% of the total energy sent to the Central Interconnected System (SIC).

Neighbors became alarmed after seeing a large amount of what they believed to be smoke in the area; however the plant clarified that this was actually only water vapor and that it presents no toxic danger to the community.