Ensdorf - Cooling tower and chimneys of former power plant blown up
In Saarland, a significant relic of industrial history has disappeared from the scene: The approximately 120 meter tall distinctive cooling tower of the former coal power plant in Ensdorf was successfully blown up on Sunday. Two chimneys, each 150 and 180 meters tall, as well as a last desulfurization plant, also came down.
"I am very satisfied. Everything went well," said plant manager Klaus Blug after the explosions, which lasted only around 30 seconds.
The former power plant has been under demolition since the beginning of 2023. It was definitively shut down at the end of 2017. A total of approximately 110 tons of explosives were used, and around 2,300 detonators were installed, according to energy supplier VSE.
Historical Change
The explosion in Ensdorf was described as "a historical day for the community" by Mayor Jörg Wilhelmy (party-less) to the German Press Agency. It marked the end of an era. The distinctive structures were "a symbol for the former coal power plant and thus the mining history of the Ensdorf community, indeed the entire region." The landscape and the appearance of Ensdorf are now "permanently changed."
A safety zone was set up around the area. Sections of the A620 autobahn in both directions and a section of the B51 federal highway near the power plant were closed. The railway was also affected.
Spectators could view the explosions from a distance: Good vantage points were at the Saarlouis dam on the opposite Saar riverbank and from the height of the Berghalde at the Saarpolygon.
Saarland has a long coal tradition: Coal mining had been ongoing for over 250 years until it was halted on June 30, 2012 - exactly twelve years ago. The Ensdorf power plant was built by VSE AG in 1961 and had produced power for decades.
Elsewhere on the site of the former coal power plant in Ensdorf, US chipmaker Wolfspeed plans to build a large silicon carbide semiconductor factory. Wolfspeed announced this in February 2023.
SR-Livestream
- The demolition of the cooling tower in Ensdorf's historical coal-fired power plant marks a significant shift in Saarland's energy landscape.
- Despite the closure of the traffic routes due to the safety zone, local residents and visitors eagerly watched the cooling tower's destruction from vantage points like the Saarlouis dam and Berghalde.
- The dramatic event on Sunday left an indelible impact on the surrounding municipalities, transforming their skyline and forever altering the view from the image area.
- The demolition of the 120-meter tower, along with the two chimneys, signified the end of an industrial era that had shaped Ensdorf's identity for decades.
- Energy supplier VSE's successful execution of the demolition project demonstrated the changing direction of the region, as the former coal power station is poised to transition to a semiconductor manufacturing facility, operated by US chipmaker Wolfspeed.
- The loss of this iconic cooling tower, which had served as a symbol of Saarland's rich coal history, stirred mixed emotions among locals, as they looked towards a future of innovation and renewable energy sources.
