History
The power station served as the catalyst for the industrial development of the Ghent-Terneuzen canal zone. Constructed in 1913 by the Centrales Électriques des Flandres et du Brabant (CEFB), the architectural design by Eugène Dhuicque featured a distinctive decorative brick style. Following a merger in 1956, the power station came under the ownership of EBES, later acquired by Electrabel. A notable addition to the facility was a 127-meter-high chimney.
In 1959, a new power plant was inaugurated, utilizing coal, fuel oil, and natural gas as primary fuels. Subsequently, the power station saw further expansions, including the installation of additional units such as a boiler and a back-pressure steam turbine with an alternator (Group 20) in 1974, designed to supply steam to the paper mills of of the area. Additionally, in 1993, a gas turbine with an alternator and a recovery boiler with afterburning (Group 30) were introduced. The power plant played a crucial role in providing electricity for general consumption and process steam to neighboring companies such as StoraEnso, Kronos, and Algist Bruggeman. However, the cogeneration system was phased out in 2010 and eventually ceased operations a few years later.
The decommissioned section of the site housed the Energeia Museum from 1986 to 2000, exhibiting preserved steam engines and steam turbines. Unfortunately, it closed following a decision by Electrabel management to discontinue investments.
Although the site received protection in 1999, the Council of State overturned this measure in 2009, leading to the adoption of a new protection decree in 2013.
In 2012, during demolition works, thieves pilfered substantial amounts of copper. To accomplish this, they dismantled valuable installations, including a compound steam engine dating back to 1912.
