Austrian Power Plant to Transform into Energy Hub, iconic Chimney Set for Demolition
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A major energy transition is underway in Langenzersdorf, Austria, as the former power plant – a landmark visible from the Korneuburg Ost motorway – is being repurposed into a critical energy and infrastructure hub. The facility’s most recognizable feature,a 160-meter-tall chimney,is slated for demolition by mid-2027.
The power plant,situated on the left bank of the danube River approximately six kilometers west of Vienna,has undergone a notable evolution since its inception in the late 1950s. Originally approved for operation in 1960, the plant initially relied on oil and gas for power generation. While a gas turbine remains on site in a state of “formal” shutdown, the gas and steam turbine plant ceased operations on October 1, 2019, after running until 2018. Interestingly, the site briefly housed a glasshouse operated by a Klosterneuburg company, dedicated to cultivating banana seedlings.
From Power Generation to Network Node
Today, the area’s role has shifted dramatically. It is now considered a vital energy network node, connecting the infrastructure of Korneuburg and Klosterneuburg via a 450-meter microtunnel running beneath the Danube. this subterranean passage carries a diverse range of utilities, including electricity, gas, internet, drinking water, and natural heat pipes.
EVN, the energy provider overseeing the change, is investing in the site’s future. “That means we generate the heat from a heat pump, no longer have to use natural gas for it and save the biomass with which we would otherwise generate the heat for the winter,” a company spokesperson explained. A biomass heating plant is already operational at the Korneuburg location, further diversifying the energy mix.
Future Expansion and Renewable Energy Integration
EVN has aspiring plans for further progress, aiming to establish the site as a complete energy and infrastructure hub. These plans include expanding the existing biomass plant and exploring systems to mitigate the intermittency of renewable energies. Potential solutions under consideration include smaller turbines powered by gas or hydrogen, as well as a large-scale electricity storage system.
Why is this happening? The plant is being transformed to address Austria’s energy transition goals, moving away from fossil fuels and towards a more sustainable and interconnected energy system. Who is responsible? EVN, the local energy provider, is leading the project. What is being done? The plant is being converted into an energy hub with a microtunnel for utilities and plans for renewable energy integration. How will it work? By utilizing biomass, heat pumps, and exploring hydrogen and electricity storage, the hub will provide a diversified and reliable energy supply.
Demolition of Landmark Chimney
The demolition of the iconic chimney is a key component of this transformation. Preparatory work is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks, involving the internal planning of the buildings and partial demolition of the turbine hall. According to EVN, a new internal partition wall already delineates the building’s new boundaries.
“the chimney is over 160 meters high. This has to be planned well,” a spokesperson stated, emphasizing the complexity of safely demolishing both the boiler house and the chimney through controlled explosions in 2027. EVN is committed to transparency, with plans for public information events and close coordination with ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) and ASFINAG (Austrian motorway operator) to ensure a smooth and safe process. The company aims to have the landmark structure
