Cooling towers collapse - Gundremmingen experiences spectacular demolition - Germany's Nuclear History Ends: Gundremmingen Cooling Towers to Fall
This Saturday, October 25, at precisely 12:00 noon, a significant chapter in Germany's nuclear history will close. The two iconic 160-meter tall cooling towers in Gundremmingen, standing tall since 1966, will be demolished in a controlled explosion. The event, expected to draw spectators from Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, will mark the end of an era for the country's civilian nuclear power industry.
The cooling towers, as tall as Ulm Cathedral and able to accommodate a football pitch in length, have been instrumental in cooling water heated during electricity production at the Gundremmingen nuclear power plant, operational since 1969. Their demolition, set to reduce them to rubble in seconds, will destroy approximately 56,000 tons of high-quality reinforced concrete. This demolition is part of the ongoing dismantling process of the nuclear power plant blocks, which began years ago and is scheduled to continue until at least 2040.
Following the demolition, RWE plans to build Germany's largest battery storage facility on the site, marking a shift towards renewable power. In preparation, a large safety zone has been designated around the power plant, with a fine of up to €3,000 for anyone remaining in the area after 9:00 PM on Friday.
The demolition of the Gundremmingen cooling towers on Saturday will not only mark the end of an era for Germany's nuclear power history but also pave the way for a new chapter in renewable energy. The event, expected to attract many spectators, will serve as a reminder of the country's past while looking towards a sustainable future.
