Power plant Gelsenkirchen-Scholven's cooling tower destroyed by explosion

News Article: Demolition of Scholven Power Plant's Cooling Tower Marks Important Step in Energy Transition

At 11:00 AM on Saturday, 6th September 2025, a significant moment in the energy transition was marked as a 116-meter tall cooling tower at the Gelsenkirchen-Scholven power plant was deliberately demolished. The demolition was carried out by a specialized team, using approximately 400 drilled holes filled with 60 kilograms of explosives.

The cooling tower's peak came crashing down in a controlled explosion, marking the latest step in the dismantling process of the former Scholven coal-fired power plant. The demolition resulted in approximately 11,000 tons of rubble, which will be recycled and used to fill construction pits on the site.

The transformation of the Scholven power plant site is a significant development in the energy transition, with Uniper, the energy company responsible for the project, considering it an important step towards a more sustainable future. The rubble from the demolished cooling tower will contribute to the creation of new developments in the northern part of Gelsenkirchen.

The Scholven power plant site has seen an explosion before, as Uniper has been transforming it since 2008. The transformation includes the demolition of structures that cannot be preserved, but the project is not limited to the demolition of the cooling tower. The Scholven power plant is being dismantled piece by piece, with structures that cannot be demolished being blown up.

A low-emission gas-fired power plant is planned for the Scholven power plant site, capable of operating with hydrogen in the future. This transition marks a significant shift away from coal and towards cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.

The demolition of the cooling tower was reported on the news broadcast at 12:45 PM and in the Current Hour on Saturday, 6th September 2025. The transformation of the Scholven power plant site is a testament to the ongoing efforts to combat climate change and transition to a more sustainable energy future.