Aerial overview of Voerde Power Station during demolition, with stripped turbine halls, central smokestack, and Rhine River in background, captured for The Industrial Archive blog.

Demolition Progress at Voerde Power Station

Last week, I had the chance to fly my drone over the Voerde Power Station (Kraftwerk Voerde) again and capture the latest demolition progress. The site continues to transform rapidly, and each visit offers a new perspective on the massive scale of this deconstruction project.

Machine Halls of Blocks 1 & 2: Gone

The machine halls of Blocks 1 and 2 have now been completely demolished. It’s a surreal sight—the once-dense industrial landscape now shows wide open areas scattered with debris and structural remnants. From the air, the absence of these buildings really emphasizes just how much of the site has already changed.

Demolition of machine halls at Voerde Power Station Blocks 1 and 2, with partially collapsed structure, exposed piping, and rubble in foreground, photographed for The Industrial Archive blog.

Blocks A and B: Dismantling in Full Swing

The dismantling of Blocks A and B is also well underway. One of the turbines still remains partially intact, which made for some particularly fascinating aerial shots. The juxtaposition of industrial decay and the precision of the deconstruction effort creates a strange kind of beauty. You can still make out the skeleton of the turbine structure, framed by stripped-down walls and scattered remnants of machinery.

Boiler House Wrapped for Asbestos Removal

One of the boiler houses from Block 1 or 2 is currently fully wrapped in protective sheeting. This containment setup is part of the asbestos removal process, which seems to be a major focus at the moment. Removing hazardous materials like asbestos is a slow and careful job, and it’s clear that safety and precision are taking priority here.

A Changing Landmark

It’s always a bit eerie to see such a significant industrial site being taken apart piece by piece. The demolition of Voerde Power Station isn’t just about removing buildings; it’s also about dealing with decades of legacy infrastructure and materials, including hazardous ones. As things continue to disappear, I’m glad to be able to document the process from above.