VIDEO Germany demolishes cooling towers of decommissioned nuclear power plant as part of its plan to phase out nuclear power
The cooling towers at the decommissioned nuclear power plant in Gundremmingen, southern Germany, have been demolished. Photo credit: Peter Kneffel / DPA / Profimedia
The two towers, equivalent to approximately 56,000 tons of concrete, were brought to the ground on Saturday following a controlled demolition. An action that is part of Germany's plan to abandon nuclear energy.
Two cooling towers of the former nuclear power plant in the Bavarian town of Gundremmingen (in southern Germany) were demolished in a controlled manner at noon on Saturday, reports Euronews.com.
The power station has been an important landmark in the city for nearly six decades, providing numerous jobs and boosting the local economy.
But following former chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to abandon nuclear power and in line with Germany's energy transition policy, both the Gundremmingen (south), Brokdorf (north) and Grohnde (center) nuclear power plants have already been decommissioned in December 2021.
A new era: Germany abandons nuclear power and closes the last three plants
The closure of the plant was difficult to accept, but still thousands of people gathered to watch the removal of the two huge towers from the cityscape.
Local authorities, already expecting a large crowd of spectators, set up a restricted access zone around the nuclear power plant.
According to energy company RWE, the demolition could be watched from various vantage points in the region. Some bars even held “public demolition watch parties”.
How the towers were detonated
A total of three explosions were carried out. The first was performed to drive away animals and wildlife from nearby. The second knocked down the first tower, and the third knocked down the second tower. About 56,000 tons of concrete collapsed in just a few seconds.
After Saturday's demolition, the dismantling of the nuclear plant will continue, a lengthy process that is planned to be completed by 2040, according to local media.
