The Hagedorn Group successfully detonated the chimneys of the flue gas desulfurization unit (FGD) at the Moorburg power plant, marking a major milestone in the ongoing decommissioning process that began in fall 2023. The demolition, which significantly altered the silhouette of the former coal-fired power plant, is part of efforts to clear space for green hydrogen infrastructure.

At 10:14 AM on Monday, the 130-meter tall, 2,300-ton chimneys fell into the prepared demolition area at the former gypsum storage site. Hagedorn’s team had spent weeks preparing for the demolition, focusing on extensive safety measures and precise execution. According to Jens Hofmann, head of decommissioning at Hagedorn, "the demolition was another successful milestone in the decommissioning of the Moorburg power plant, and we are very satisfied with the result."

The Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub (HGHH) project is set to begin construction in 2025, with plans for a 100 MW electrolyzer to produce green hydrogen. Dr. Melanie Leonhard, Senator for Economy and Innovation, stated, "We are in the midst of transforming into a climate-friendly economy and industry. Hydrogen will be produced locally here, and the scaling of production is already planned."

The decommissioning work also includes recycling and reusing materials from the demolition. Hagedorn and its partners aim to minimize environmental impact and maximize recycling, with the goal of reducing the site’s carbon footprint. As Christian Heine, spokesperson for Hamburger Energiewerke GmbH, emphasized, "we’ve made great strides this year in building green hydrogen infrastructure in Hamburg."

The demolition is another step toward realizing Hamburg’s ambition to become a major green hydrogen hub in Europe. Jens Kerstan, Chairman of Hamburger Energiewerke GmbH, added, "With today’s demolition, we are visibly making space for the future."