Schwarze Pumpe power station, Lignite-fired power station in Spremberg, Germany
Schwarze Pumpe is a lignite-fired power station in Spremberg that generates electricity by burning brown coal. The facility operates two large turbine units and uses steam technology for power generation, sourcing fuel from nearby open-cast mines.
Construction of the facility began in 1993, with commercial operations starting in 1997. This timing marked an important shift in German energy production following reunification and changes in the country's power sector.
The name comes from a local story about residents painting a water pump black during the Thirty Years War to ward off Swedish raiders. This historic reference has remained part of the region's identity for centuries and still shapes how people think about the area today.
The location sits in Lusatia, a region of open-cast brown coal mines and industrial landscapes. Visitors should know this is an active industrial facility where access may be restricted to certain areas or times.
The cooling towers of the power station rank among the tallest structures in the region and offer striking views of the industrial landscape. Visible from far away, they shape the skyline and serve as a landmark for the entire area.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
