Bergkamen Power Station, coal power plant

Bergkamen Power Station is a large coal-fired electricity generating facility located in Bergkamen, North Rhine-Westphalia. The plant sits adjacent to the Datteln-Hamm canal and comprises multiple operational units with a total capacity of approximately 780 megawatts.

The station began operations in 1981 at a time when large thermal power plants were central to Germany's electricity supply infrastructure. Ownership transferred between major energy companies over the decades, and recent proposals have emerged to convert certain units to use hydrogen and natural gas rather than coal.

The site is a secured industrial facility with fencing and restricted public access, so visiting the interior is typically not possible. The best viewing points are from the surrounding area, where the distinctive chimneys and large structures are visible from a distance.

The facility once consumed approximately 1.4 million tons of hard coal per year and relied on the adjacent Datteln-Hamm canal for fuel delivery. In September 2021, the plant experienced multiple shutdowns due to coal shortages and inadequate rail connections, revealing the vulnerability of large industrial facilities to supply disruptions.

• Location: Bergkamen
• Inception: January 1, 1981
• Operator: RWE;evonik
• Address: Westenhellweg 111, 59192 Bergkamen, Germany
• Phone: [phone]
• GPS coordinates: 51.63694,7.61889
• Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:56