Schwarze Pumpe power plant

In Schwarze Pumpe you can take a look behind the scenes of one of the most modern lignite-fired power plants in Europe. Five years were spent building the powerful twin-unit plant in the Schwarze Pumpe industrial park in Spremberg. It was officially commissioned in 1998. About 36,000 tonnes of raw lignite, also from the Welzow-Süd opencast mine, are used here day after day to produce energy. The plant supplies not only electricity but also process steam and district heating to the region. 
Technology enthusiasts can take a look inside the imposing 1600-megawatt plant during guided tours while it is in operation. Expert guides and a multimedia information centre help visitors understand how the high-tech plant works. The tour ends with a trip to the 161-metre-high observation tower. From here, the view sweeps far and wide over the nearby Welzow-Süd open-cast mine and the Lusatian Lakeland that is being created all around.

Guided tours take place between April and October by appointment only. Individual group tours can be requested all year round.
Tours must be booked through the excursio visitor centre.