Schkopau Power Plant Offline After Fire; Firefighters Continue to Douse Embers
SCHKOPAU, Germany - A fire broke out at the Schkopau power plant in Saxony-Anhalt on Thursday, forcing the plant offline and prompting a large-scale response from emergency services. The fire, which began as a smoldering blaze in Block A around 2:30 p.m., escalated into an open fire, according to Kraftwerk spokesman Torsten Höpfl.
As of late Thursday night, approximately 170 firefighters – including company personnel and crews from surrounding communities like helfta and Leipzig – were working to extinguish remaining embers in the conveyor belt area, within the block itself on multiple levels, and around the coal bunker.District Fire Chief Marcus Heller explained that coal dust is complicating efforts, necessitating the use of large amounts of foam.
“the actual fire has been extinguished,” Heller stated, “Though, the emergency services are particularly busy extinguishing embers…”
The rescue service and the Red Cross are also on scene.Authorities report no injuries to employees or nearby residents.The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The power plant’s website, Saale Energie, experienced disruptions during the evening.
Power plant manager Enrico Munder confirmed the plant was taken offline as a safety precaution, with a return to operation uncertain until Friday.However, Höpfl assured the public that the regional electricity supply is secure, as power is being sourced from othre plants.
Plant officials also dismissed rumors linking the fire to the nearby DOW chemical plant, clarifying that both facilities are located on separate sites within the Schkopau industrial area.
The Schkopau power plant, the largest in Saxony-Anhalt, typically processes up to five million tons of lignite annually from the Profen open-cast mine, generating electricity and process steam for both residential and industrial use in central Germany. The plant operates two blocks and is slated for decommissioning in 2034.
