Explosion Triggers Shutdown at Alamitos Power Plant

The rupture of a high-pressure pipe at the AES Alamitos Generating Station sent a plume of steam into the sky Wednesday morning and forced an emergency shutdown of the unit.

The rupture occurred at 7:44 a.m., creating a loud boom that could be heard for throughout Seal Beach and Long Beach. No one was injured in the blast, which created noise for roughly 45 minutes.

“Police and fire responded quickly and were on standby while AES verified that all people were safe and accounted for,” according to a statement released by AES.

The trouble spot was a 5-inch pipe that carries high-pressure steam and water to the Unit 3 boiler, according to AES. The rupture triggered an immediate shutdown of the unit. 

“We always strive to be a good neighbor and are sensitive to the impact the noise may have had on the community," said AES Southland President Eric Pendergraft. “We responded as quickly as possible to shutdown the facility minimize the impact”

The natural gas-fueled plant, a towering structure at the corner of Studebaker Road and Westminster Avenue, uses water from the nearby San Gabriel River, and provides enough electricity to power approximately 2 million homes.