[Job Story] Epiroc HB 5800 Powers Demolition of Block F at Scholven Plant

The demolition, by Regrata and Uniper, marks a key step in the transformation of the Scholven power plant into a hydrogen-ready energy hub. Regrata and Uniper have launched a major demolition project at the Scholven hard coal power plant in Gelsenkirchen, marking a significant step in Germany’s shift toward cleaner energy. At the center of […] [Job Story] Epiroc HB 5800 Powers Demolition of Block F at Scholven Plant published on The HeavyQuip Magazine.

Sep 16, 2025 - 03:55

[Job Story] Epiroc HB 5800 Powers Demolition of Block F at Scholven Plant

The demolition, by Regrata and Uniper, marks a key step in the transformation of the Scholven power plant into a hydrogen-ready energy hub.

Regrata and Uniper have launched a major demolition project at the Scholven hard coal power plant in Gelsenkirchen, marking a significant step in Germany’s shift toward cleaner energy. At the center of the work is the dismantling of Block F, an iconic unit that once symbolized the country’s coal-fired industrial era.

To carry out the job, Regrata is relying on a fleet of specialized heavy machinery, including the Epiroc HB 5800 hydraulic breaker, selected for its high impact energy and proven reliability under extreme conditions.

The Scholven facility has been a cornerstone of the Ruhr region’s energy infrastructure for over a century. Initially built to supply power to the local coal mine, it expanded rapidly during the post-war period, reaching a peak capacity of 2,126 MW in the 1970s. Block F, commissioned in 1979 and decommissioned in 2014, has remained idle, until now.

Its removal is part of a broader redevelopment strategy. In its place, a new gas and steam turbine (GuD) facility is planned, hydrogen-ready from the outset and designed to align with Germany’s long-term decarbonization goals. The transformation positions Scholven as a future-proof energy and technology hub.

The project is being led by Regrata Abbruch und Recycling GmbH & Co. KG, part of the Matthäi Group, on behalf of Uniper Kraftwerke GmbH. To tackle the demanding scope of work, Regrata has brought in long-reach excavators up to 175 tons, crawler lattice boom cranes, and high-capacity crushing and pressing systems. Controlled blasting of select structures is being handled by Thüringer Sprenggesellschaft, also part of the Matthäi Group.

The Epiroc HB 5800 supports Regrata in executing this technically demanding project. It combines power and reliability, key requirements for handling such complex tasks. That’s why Regrata has relied on Epiroc hydraulic breakers for years

said Björn Bassen, Authorized Officer and Senior Site Manager at Regrata.

From left to right: Torsten Treger, Regional Sales Manager North, Epiroc; Björn Bassen, Authorized Officer and Senior Site Manager, Regrata; Cedric Alexander Drewenstedt, Heavy Equipment Operator, Regrata — during the official handover of the HB 5800 hydraulic breaker from Epiroc.

Despite the technical and logistical challenges, the work is progressing on schedule. The demolition phase commenced in April 2024 and is scheduled to conclude in September 2026.

The deconstruction of Block F closes a chapter in Germany’s industrial history and opens a new one. The forthcoming GuD facility will enable a gradual transition from fossil fuels to climate-neutral power generation, with hydrogen as a long-term target. Scholven is poised to play a vital role in securing North Rhine-Westphalia’s future energy needs.

[Job Story] Epiroc HB 5800 Powers Demolition of Block F at Scholven Plant published on The HeavyQuip Magazine.