In the small German town of Voerde, nestled along the Lower Rhine, a significant change was underway. The once iconic landmark, a towering 165-meter-high cooling tower of a coal-fired power plant, was set for demolition. This behemoth of concrete, which had stood dormant since 2017, crumbled to the ground amidst a controlled blast on a sunny Sunday morning.
Residential buildings near the blast site were temporarily evacuated, and roads were closed as a precaution. However, the demolition proceeded without a hitch, with the structure collapsing shortly after 11 a.m. According to local authorities, this was just the first step in a larger project to dismantle the former power plant, which is set to continue until 2026.
This dismantling process is part of a broader plan by the energy company RWE, the plant's owner, and the town of Voerde. RWE has ambitious plans to transform the site into a center for green hydrogen production, with a capacity of 800 megawatts. The potential to construct a hydrogen-compatible gas-fired power plant on the site is also being explored.
Voerde's mayor, Dirk Haarmann (SPD), is optimistic about the city's future. "This could be a significant leap forward as a business location," he said. If RWE's plans come to fruition, Voerde would become a major hub for hydrogen production, potentially creating 120 to 140 new jobs. Haarmann emphasized that the new plant would be CO2-neutral, aligning with Germany's broader efforts to transition to greener energy sources.
The power plant, which was built in the 70s and expanded in subsequent years, was a controversial figure due to its high CO2 emissions. Despite this, its large cooling tower and chimneys, which soared above 200 meters, made it a well-known landmark in the region for decades.
RWE announced their plans for the site on July 7, 2023, promising a transformed future for Voerde and a potential shift in Germany's energy landscape.
- RWE, as a leading energy company, has been actively involved in transitioning to cleaner energy sources, including hydrogen production. Their broader strategy includes reducing carbon emissions and moving towards a more sustainable energy mix.
