Cooling towers blown up in Gundremmingen: A strong sign of change!

Cooling towers blown up in Gundremmingen: A strong sign of change!

On October 25, 2025, the time had finally come: the cooling towers of the former Gundremmingen nuclear power plant were blown up. This represented not only a landmark moment for the region, but also a symbolic act of change in German energy policy. The explosion was interpreted by many as a visible sign of the phase-out of nuclear energy, which began on December 31, 2021 with the final decommissioning of the power plant. This reports evangelisch.de.

The cooling towers, which towered impressively into the sky at a height of 161 meters, are now being demolished, for which the Thuringian Explosive Society is also responsible. It is estimated that around 28,000 tonnes of rubble will be generated during dismantling. There is a certain polarization in Gundremmingen, because the different reactions to the demolition reflect the diversity of opinions in the community. Some citizens are relieved that a return to nuclear energy is out of the question, while others mourn the loss of “their” power plant, especially since many of them were employed there. Pastor Frank Bienk, who has been working in the Günzburg parish since the end of 2020, emphasizes the importance of enduring different perspectives on nuclear energy and shaping the future together.

Dismantling: A long-term process

The framework conditions for the dismantling of the nuclear power plant have been comprehensively defined. After the decommissioning of blocks B and C, which took place in 2017 and 2021, dismantling could officially begin. RWE, as the operator, has made reserves of around 2.8 billion euros available for this process and expects the total time for dismantling to be 15 to 20 years, with a target time frame of the mid to late 2030s. Interestingly, only a small portion of the mined material – an estimated 0.6 percent – ​​will ever end up in a final repository. Instead, the majority, including the highly radioactive waste, remains in Gundremmingen for the time being augsburger- Allgemeine.de reported.

The legal framework for dismantling was determined by a law to reorganize responsibility in nuclear waste disposal, which came into force on June 16, 2017. This regulates the responsibilities for decommissioning and disposal of radioactive waste and ensures that financial resources are not transferred to society. By July 1, 2017, the federal government had transferred a total of 24.1 billion euros to a fund for white and black disposal, as the Federal Ministry of Economics notes here.

A look into the future

But what comes after nuclear power? Potential new projects are already being considered in Gundremmingen. RWE plans to build a 400 megawatt battery storage facility and a gas power plant. A solar park is also being planned on the site of the former power plant. These ideas show that, despite the challenges and the burdensome past, new paths are being taken to make the region around Gundremmingen fit for the future.

In summary, it can be said that the blowing up of the cooling towers of the nuclear power plant in Gundremmingen not only represents a physical dismantling, but also promises a new era in dealing with energy and the environment. The nuclear energy debate remains exciting, and the community's citizens will continue to be involved in shaping its future in the years to come.