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Preparations Progressing: Demolition of Scholven Cooling Towers D and E Paves the Way for H2-Ready Gas Power Plant
Preparations Progressing: Demolition of Scholven Cooling Towers D and E Paves the Way for H2-Ready Gas Power
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" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 1; vertical-align: bottom; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-align: center;"> Share Share 260509_Sprengung Scholven 3 Download Media Kit Preparing your download... Download An error occurred while preparing your download Düsseldorf, 09 May 2026 | 13:23 Europe/Berlin Preparations Progressing: Demolition of Scholven Cooling Towers D and E Paves the Way for H2-Ready Gas Power Plant Summary The two 114 m towers were demolished today at 11:00 a.m. A hydrogen-capable gas and steam turbine plant (Scholven 2) is set to be built on the site Planned participation in the auctions under the draft law on securing electricity supply security and providing new capacity (StromVKG) Safety concept coordinated and implemented with the relevant authorities Gelsenkirchen. The cooling towers of units D and E at Uniper's Gelsenkirchen-Scholven power plant were demolished today as planned. At exactly 11:00 a.m., Thüringer Sprenggesellschaft GmbH gave the signal for the controlled demolition of the two 114-meter-tall structures. Immediately after ignition, the two cooling towers fell toward each other as planned. Around 15,000 tons of concrete will be processed on-site and recycled into construction material, which will then be used to backfill the excavation pits. " Decommissioning projects like this are technically demanding and place high requirements on planning and execution. All the more reason to thank the entire team and our partners for their professional work. Decommissioning is not an end, but creates space for new things: at Scholven, we are paving the way for a future-proof energy infrastructure and for Uniper's commitment to continuing to supply Germany reliably with clean, flexible, and dispatchable electricity. Dr. Arne Bayer, Head of Asset Development " Cooling towers G and H at the Scholven power plant had already been successfully demolished using the same proven demolition method in 2008 and 2015. Last year, cooling tower F, the turbine table in machine room F, boiler house F, and the flue gas denitrification system (DeNOx) were also demolished. A new hydrogen-capable combined-cycle gas turbine plant (CCGT plant) is to be built on the site of the demolished cooling towers. The project is earmarked for participation in the planned auctions under the StromVKG and is a key element of the transformation at the Scholven site. The modern CCGT plant is designed to eventually use hydrogen as well, thereby making an important contribution to decarbonization and to securing electricity supply in an energy system increasingly shaped by renewable energies. Another key transformation project at the Scholven site is the ammonia demonstration cracker. In cooperation with thyssenkrupp Uhde, Uniper is creating the foundation for scaling ammonia cracking technology. The goal is to eventually enable up to six commercial plants for the hydrogen import terminal in Wilhelmshaven that efficiently convert imported ammonia into hydrogen. The project thus makes an important contribution to establishing robust import routes for green hydrogen and to supplying industry and the energy system. Today's demolition was carried out by Thüringer Sprenggesellschaft, a specialist company with over 30 years of experience. Safety was the top priority throughout. In close coordination with the responsible authorities, the city of Gelsenkirchen, grid operator Amprion, and neighboring companies, Uniper and demolition firm Regrata implemented a comprehensive safety concept. An exclusion zone of over 300 meters was established around the cooling towers. Buerelterstraße and Feldhauser Straße had to be closed during the demolition. No evacuation of local residents was required; they were informed in advance in writing about the safety measures and behavioral guidelines. Previous Next 260509_Sprengung Scholven 1 default 260509_Sprengung Scholven 2 260509_Sprengung Scholven 3 260509_Sprengung Scholven 4 default 260509_Sprengung Scholven 1 default 260509_Sprengung Scholven 2 260509_Sprengung Scholven 3 260509_Sprengung Scholven 4 default Previous Next Download Media Kit Preparing your download... Download An error occurred while preparing your download About Uniper Düsseldorf-based Uniper is a European energy company with global reach and operations in more than 40 countries. It has about 7,000 employees and plays a key role in ensuring a secure energy supply in Europe, particularly in its core markets of Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Uniper's 18.5 gigawatts of power generating capacity make it a mainstay of reliable power production. Uniper is a leading gas trader and one of Northwestern Europe's most important LNG importers, and its broad procurement portfolio enhances supply security. Uniper's investments in renewables, hydrogen, and other low-carbon energy carriers propel the transformation of the energy system. Uniper provides energy and services to about 1,000 municipalities and industrial companies in its home market, Germany. Uniper is also Germany's largest operator of gas storage facilities and hydropower plants. Boilerplate This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Uniper SE Management and other information currently available to Uniper. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. Uniper SE does not intend, and does not assume any liability whatsoever, to update these forward-looking statements or to modify them to conform with future events or developments.