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- Jan 6, 2013
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1. The History
Power Plant IM was originally built in 1921 in the Monceau-sur-Sambre neighbourhood of Charleroi. After its completion it was one of the largest coal burning power plants in Belgium. Water was let into the cooling tower where it would be cooled by the wind that swept in from portals in the base of the tower, releasing billowing columns of hot air. By 1977 the power plant and its massive tower was the main source of energy for the Charleroi area and is said to have been able to cool 480,000 gallons of water per minute.
By the 1970s new components were even added to the power-plant that could also use gas power. However, the power-plant’s days were numbered. After years of service, a report found that Power Plant IM was responsible for around 10% of the total CO2 emissions in Belgium. Due to this, protests from Greenpeace in 2006 gave the power plant major negative attention and it closed a year later in 2007. After it was closed down, there were reports of looting by metal scrappers. The power plant still lies abandoned, and is said to be scheduled for demolition, but until that time it continues to stand as a popular location for urban explorers.
2. The Explore
This place is responsible for the most epic urbex pictures ever. Set off to the place and drove down the long pot-holed road that leads to the plant. Parked up and walked down to the cooling tower and wandered in as the gate was open. Sadly the magic door was locked. Sneaked under and into the base of the cooling tower but sadly could get up to the second level. Hey ho that’s the way things go sometimes. Saw some groups scaling the pipe-bridge and crossing the Sambe river on the service walk-way to look at the power-plant itself. Was a bit pushed for time so decided to give it a miss.
3. The Pictures
Here’s the cooling tower:
img6781 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img6772 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img6771 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Locked! Bugger…
img6770 by HughieDW, on Flickr
On to the base then:
img6785 by HughieDW, on Flickr
..and under we go:
img6776 by HughieDW, on Flickr
And we’re in:
img6751 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img6747bw by HughieDW, on Flickr
img6763 by HughieDW, on Flickr
At the bottom looking up:
img6764 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img6759 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img6757bw by HughieDW, on Flickr
Loadsa wood!
img6774 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Over the river is the power-plant:
img6779 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img6782 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img6783 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img6797 by HughieDW, on Flickr
And other stuff in the area:
img6786 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img6789 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img6790 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img6791 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img6796 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img6798 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Including this old house:
img6787 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img6788 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Power Plant IM was originally built in 1921 in the Monceau-sur-Sambre neighbourhood of Charleroi. After its completion it was one of the largest coal burning power plants in Belgium. Water was let into the cooling tower where it would be cooled by the wind that swept in from portals in the base of the tower, releasing billowing columns of hot air. By 1977 the power plant and its massive tower was the main source of energy for the Charleroi area and is said to have been able to cool 480,000 gallons of water per minute.
By the 1970s new components were even added to the power-plant that could also use gas power. However, the power-plant’s days were numbered. After years of service, a report found that Power Plant IM was responsible for around 10% of the total CO2 emissions in Belgium. Due to this, protests from Greenpeace in 2006 gave the power plant major negative attention and it closed a year later in 2007. After it was closed down, there were reports of looting by metal scrappers. The power plant still lies abandoned, and is said to be scheduled for demolition, but until that time it continues to stand as a popular location for urban explorers.
2. The Explore
This place is responsible for the most epic urbex pictures ever. Set off to the place and drove down the long pot-holed road that leads to the plant. Parked up and walked down to the cooling tower and wandered in as the gate was open. Sadly the magic door was locked. Sneaked under and into the base of the cooling tower but sadly could get up to the second level. Hey ho that’s the way things go sometimes. Saw some groups scaling the pipe-bridge and crossing the Sambe river on the service walk-way to look at the power-plant itself. Was a bit pushed for time so decided to give it a miss.
3. The Pictures
Here’s the cooling tower:
img6781 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg6772 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg6771 by HughieDW, on FlickrLocked! Bugger…
img6770 by HughieDW, on FlickrOn to the base then:
img6785 by HughieDW, on Flickr..and under we go:
img6776 by HughieDW, on FlickrAnd we’re in:
img6751 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg6747bw by HughieDW, on Flickrimg6763 by HughieDW, on FlickrAt the bottom looking up:
img6764 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg6759 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg6757bw by HughieDW, on FlickrLoadsa wood!
img6774 by HughieDW, on FlickrOver the river is the power-plant:
img6779 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg6782 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg6783 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg6797 by HughieDW, on FlickrAnd other stuff in the area:
img6786 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg6789 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg6790 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg6791 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg6796 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg6798 by HughieDW, on FlickrIncluding this old house:
img6787 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg6788 by HughieDW, on Flickr
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