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Artful farewell to the Stade nuclear power plant: Experience Orbitale”!
The art project “Orbitale” says goodbye to the Stade nuclear power plant with an audiovisual production from October 27th to November 2nd, 2025.
Artful farewell to the Stade nuclear power plant: Experience Orbitale”!
On the last weekend in October, the Stade nuclear power plant will say goodbye with an extraordinary art project. Under the title “Orbitals – an artistic farewell to the Stade nuclear power plant”, the artists Gudrun Barenbrock and Sebastian Gramss have designed the interior of the striking reactor shell into an audiovisual experience space. The event, which takes place from October 27th to November 2nd, is part of the first week of the industry and marks the end of an era that began around 30 years ago, when the power plant went into operation around 1972 and was one of the first in Germany to be decommissioned in 2003. The city councilor of Stade, Carsten Brokelmann, said that with the dismantling something familiar from many older Staders will disappear. However, many are not aware that an interim storage facility for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste remains on the site. The art project also wants to draw attention to this important element. Nordsee Zeitung reports that...
So what can we expect from “Orbitale”? The performance is intended to bring the empty security container to life and appeal to the audience in a multi-sensory way. The event lasts around 15 minutes and is supplemented by a tour of the power plant site, so the total duration is around an hour. It is important to note that participation is free, but children under 12 are not permitted. Safety requirements must also be observed: Participants must provide their own address and date of birth and have gait and sure-footedness. Sturdy shoes and weatherproof clothing are also necessary, as the power plant site is unfortunately a large construction site and not barrier-free. The Altes Land holiday region states that…
Dismantling: A lengthy process
The dismantling of the Stade nuclear power plant is not only significant for the region, but also the first complete dismantling of a commercially used pressurized water reactor in Germany. With this project, PressenElektra, the power plant operator, marks the end of five years of construction, around 30 years of operation and 20 years of dismantling. What makes dismantling so complicated? It takes years and costs billions of euros, and the strict controls on radioactivity are subject to high requirements. Many materials leaving the power plant must undergo careful decontamination. The aim is to minimize the amount of radioactive waste and to obtain as much releasable material as possible that can be landfilled. Behind the scenes, various companies, such as the Wälischmiller company, are working on developing special equipment for dismantling. SWR further explains that...
The Stade power plant, one of the first in Germany, has a history that has shaped many generations. During the final dismantling work, the towns are now being offered a cultural highlight that not only embodies the change in energy production, but also the connection between art, technology and science. Andreas Schäfer, Managing Director of Stade Marketing and Tourismus GmbH, describes the art production as a special experience that respects the past and at the same time leads into the future.
The city of Stade invites everyone interested to experience this special completion of the nuclear power plant together and to embark on an impressive journey through time and the senses.