The tender for the renovation of the ornamental illumination on Paseo de Levante, the so-called ‘Andrea’ columns, was approved by the Local Government Board (JGL) of Benidorm City Council on Wednesday, August 6th. The total cost of the project is 665,784 euros. Francis Muñoz, the Councillor for Public Space, reported that this project is “part of the Sustainable Tourism Destination Plan (PSTD) ‘Verde Benidorm’ and will involve not only the renovation of these characteristic and emblematic elements of the Levante waterfront but also an improvement in energy efficiency and, therefore, a reduction in emissions, consumption, and expenditure.”
Specifically, the project entails the restoration of the structures that support the interior cylinder that forms the “Andrea” luminaire, which date back to the 1990s. The cylinder and the interior spotlights that illuminate it will be replaced, and a new electrical and control system will be installed to facilitate intelligent supply and management. LED technology has enabled a 40% reduction in installed power, thereby satisfying energy efficiency standards.
According to Muñoz, there are currently 22 of these luminaires, 18 of which are situated along the promenade and four of which are situated at the intersection of Europa Avenue and the beachfront. This project was authorised in May, and the four “Andreas” will be removed to establish a space that is devoid of elements.
The councillor emphasised the necessity of restoring the ‘Andrea’ columns to their original appearance and ensuring that they are in harmony with the surrounding environment, which is one of the busiest areas in Benidorm, after more than three decades of service facing the sea. The columns will undergo a thorough restoration process that involves the disassembly and cleaning of their components. This treatment is designed to mitigate the effects of the marine environment and ensure that the columns have a life expectancy of over 15 years in areas with high humidity and harsh conditions.
A new fibre optic circuit and control nodes will be installed for smart management, in addition to the conduit wiring being renewed. This will enable the “Andreas” to modify the colour of their illumination, similar to the overhead lines on the promenade.
According to the Public Space Councillor, the project is expected to be completely renovated by the summer of 2026, as it has an eight-month execution period. Lastly, he stated that this project “finalises the modernisation and updating of the lighting elements of the first Levante line, which we initiated with the renovation of the overhead line from Torrejó to Avenida de Europa, which required an investment of €1.9 million.” “This project was entirely funded by municipal resources and the resources of the Benidorm community, as the Spanish government failed to provide any investment once more.”
Regarding ‘Green Benidorm’
The European Union’s Next Generation finances have provided €5,500,000 to support the Sustainable Tourism Destination Plan ‘Green Benidorm 2024-2026’. The funds will be allocated to the implementation of 16 initiatives that aim to create a more sustainable and digital Benidorm. This city will prioritise the protection of the region and make strides towards energy efficiency and climate change.
As a result, the Benidorm City Council is implementing the certification and recognition of the destination’s sustainability through this PSTD, which is included in the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan. This plan is funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU and includes the Territorial Sustainability Plan of the Valencian Community, which is coordinated by Turisme Comunitat Valenciana.
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