Germany has demolished the cooling towers of the Gundremmingen Nuclear Power Plant as part of the nuclear energy phase-out. The dismantling is expected to be completed by 2040.
Two cooling towers of the decommissioned Gundremmingen Nuclear Power Plant in Bavaria were demolished with explosives on Saturday as part of a controlled operation, reported by Euronews.
The power plant has been a significant landmark in the city for nearly 60 years, creating numerous jobs and boosting the local economy.
As part of the nuclear energy phase-out and energy transition policy in Germany, the nuclear power plants at Gundremmingen, Brokdorf, and Grohnde were taken out of service in 2021.
A spectacle for thousands of curious onlookers
The closure of the power plant was hard to accept, but thousands of people gathered to witness the demolition of the 160-meter-high towers that dominated the urban landscape.
The municipality, prepared to receive a large crowd of curious spectators, set up a restricted access area around the power plant.
According to the energy company RWE, the demolition could be observed from various observation points in the region. Some bistros and bars offered public screenings.
Three explosions and the towers crumbled to the ground
In total, three explosions took place. The first was carried out to drive away animals and wildlife from the surroundings. The second destroyed the first tower, while the third brought down the second one.
Approximately 56,000 tons of concrete collapsed in a matter of seconds.
Following Saturday's demolition, the dismantling of the power plant will continue, according to local media reports, and is expected to be completed by 2040.