We talk about big sporting events bringing people together and allowing cultural interaction. Let me assure you that the implosion of Athlone Power Station’s Cooling Towers on Sunday the 22nd of August 2010 achieved the same objective. Tens of thousands of Capetonians from all walks of life lined streets, climbed roofs and stood on cars to catch a glimpse of the towers plummeting earthwards. All eight seconds of it!! Not even some typical Cape winter weather, and the fact that the detonation went off four minutes ahead of schedule, could dampen the spirits. This was definitely the city’s biggest event since the football world cup! The only thing missing was the sound of the vuvuzelas…

View of Athlone Station's Cooling Towers

The coal-fired power station was built in 1962 with 6 turbines and generated a nominal capacity of 180 megawatts. Between 1985 and 1994 the station was held on standby but it resumed generation in 1995, with a reduced capacity of 120 megawatts. Between 1995 and 2003 it was used sparingly, and was only called into action in peak demand periods and during power failures of the national grid. In 2003 it became apparent that if operations were to continue a significant amount of investment would be required due to the age of the power station. The City of Cape Town decided against this investment and hence generation was stopped.

View of the Cooling Towers from the suburbs

On the 14th of February 2010 the fate of the cooling towers was sealed when the reinforcing bands on one of the towers collapsed. This caused the city to announce that the towers would be demolished. The power station building and two 99m high chimneys were not included in the demolition. The two cooling towers formed a notable landmark alongside the N2 highway and I think many people over the next week or two, particularly the regular users, will experience a feeling of, “something’s missing”, when they make their way past the station. Let’s hope that in the medium term the only feelings that people will experience when they drive past the sight will be ones of excitement and happiness, as they witness the development of the area.

Moments before demolition of the Towers

It is interesting to note that transport costs make coal three to five times more expensive in Cape Town than in the inland areas, with their close proximity to the mines. This actually means that were it to be necessary, it would be more economical to ‘transport’ coal generated power to Cape Town, than it would be to generate it in Cape Town using transported coal!

The Twin Towers collapses

Given South Africa’s recent problems with power shortages this situation might not be as far fetched as we might think! Although due to the fact that South Africa’s nuclear power station is right on Cape Town’s doorstep it would appear that she might have first dibs on any power rations being handed out….

What was left after the demolition of the Towers

The end of the Athlone Cooling Towers

Ross Clarke is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys exploring all manner of places. He has been infected by the travel bug since his first venture beyond South Africa’s borders in 2003. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/rossclarke100

Experience Cape Town and Athlone Cooling Towers Demolition. City Sightseeing Cape Town’s blog tells you the stories behind the best attractions and events in Cape Town, South Africa.
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