RWE demolishes 200-meter chimney at former coal power plant

Energy company RWE has successfully brought down a 200-meter chimney at its former lignite power plant in Grevenbroich, North Rhine-Westphalia. The demolition, part of the site's decommissioning, was executed precisely at 11:00 AM using two carefully placed explosive charges.

The towering concrete and steel structure collapsed as planned, creating an estimated 14,000 tons of rubble. This debris will now undergo the process of being crushed, sorted, and transported away from the site. The chimney was part of two 300-megawatt blocks at the Frimmersdorf power plant location.

RWE anticipates completing the full dismantling of the power plant site by 2028. The area is slated for redevelopment into a digital hub, a project involving the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Rhein-Kreis Neuss district, and the city of Grevenbroich. Notably, the former machine hall and several other plant components are expected to be preserved as part of the new development.