Blue Power Plant (Cockerill-Sambre Power Plant)

Explore the urban charm of Charleroi's Blue Power Plant before demolition. Discover the remnants of a steel era in this captivating urban exploration journey.

October 12, 2023
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows an overview of the turbine hall in the former power plant, a blue steam turbine can be seen along with smaller turbines in the back.

Nestled in the Charleroi region are the remnants of the city’s once-thriving steel industry. Amidst numerous steel factories, blast furnaces, and a cokes factory, the weathered walls of the Cockerill-Sambre power plant, affectionately known as the Blue Power Plant, still stand.

Functioning in conjunction with the cokes factory, the power plant operated on the gas produced during cokes creation. This symbiotic relationship presented a sustainable approach to energy generation, utilizing byproducts effectively. While specific data on the power plant’s megawatt output eludes me, it housed multiple petite turbines, each fueled by various processes stemming from cokes creation. Notably, these turbines were sourced from reputable companies like Escher Wyss, Oerlikon, and Ingersoll-Rand, showcasing diverse energy generation methods.

The exploration itself proved a fascinating adventure. My initial visit coincided with a transition in security providers—from Russo to Securitas. Securing access through a fellow explorer, the first attempt was seamless with no security encounters. However, dissatisfied with my initial photo results, a return trip was inevitable. The second visit, marked by close encounters with Securitas during both entry and exit, added an element of thrill to the exploration.

Despite the impending demolition, the site retains its allure. The ongoing demolition has already stripped the first floor bare. Notably, the plant boasts a captivating control room adorned with blue panels, earning it the nickname Blue Power Plant. The visual appeal of this control room adds an extra layer of interest to the exploration.

In conclusion, this urban exploration revealed a fascinating chapter in the city’s industrial narrative. The Blue Power Plant, with its historical significance and architectural allure, encapsulates the spirit of an era now fading into memory.

a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows the control room overview, panels with meters and buttons can be seen in the walls and a large blue control panel is spreading across the room.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows an overview of the turbine hall in the former power plant, a blue steam turbine can be seen along with smaller turbines in the back.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows an overview from the top of the power plant. many turbines can be seen and a crane can be seen hanging from the ceiling.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows a blue steam turbine from the left side. the railings are covered in yellow.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows a close up view of the left part of the blue control panel in the control room. many buttons and meters can be seen.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows a close up view of the center part of the blue control panel in the control room. many buttons and meters can be seen.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows a close up view of the right part of the blue control panel in the control room. many buttons and meters can be seen.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows a front view of the turbine made by ingersoll-rand. the turbine is rusty
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows a turbine made by ingersoll-rand. the turbine is rusty.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows a grey turbine made by oerlikon. the turbine is in a good condition.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows a small steam turbine from above with a red alternator. the railings are colored in red.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows a small steam turbine with a red alternator. the railings are colored in red.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows a close up of one of the red alternators in the turbine hall. the alternator has been broken open.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows a blue steam turbine from above. teh railings are covered in yellow.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows the logo of escher wyss and oerlikon on a blue steam turbine. there is also a pressure meter with 0, 5, 10 and 15 bar.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows a control panel in the turbine hall. the panel is colored green and has multiple meters.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows a row of three gas tanks. the tanks are colored in white and the railings are colored in yellow.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows two small gas deaerators. the tanks are colored in white and the railings are colored in yellow.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows a panel with several pressure meters, one filled with water.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows many hydraulic gas valves colored in yellow and blue. there is also a small pressure meter.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows several yellow gas pipes and pressure meters for the gas. it is decaying, rust can be seen everywhere
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows several yellow gas pipes. it is decaying, rust can be seen everywhere
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows many gas pipes colored in yellow. a large pipe can be seen that was used to transport gas from the creation of cokes.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows several small pipes for gas, colored in yellow and a large pipe for gas from the creation of cokes.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows the top of a boiler in the boiler house. a blower can be seen, it is slowly rusting and the paint is decaying. the color of the paint is blue.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows the top of a boiler in the boiler house. the denox installation can be seen existing of multiple pipes and a large chimney. the installation is very well preserved with little decay.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows the top of a boiler in the boiler house. the denox installation can be seen existing of multiple pipes and a large chimney. the installation is very well preserved with little decay.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows the top of a boiler in the boiler house. the denox installation can be seen existing of multiple pipes and a large chimney. the installation is decaying, moss and rust can be seen on the installation.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows the top of a boiler in the boiler house. the denox installation can be seen existing of multiple pipes and a large chimney. the installation is slowly taken over by decay.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows the top of a boiler in the boiler house. the denox installation can be seen existing of multiple pipes and a large chimney. the installation is decaying, moss and rust can be seen everywhere
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows a blower at the top of the boiler house. the photo zooms in on the inside of the machine, rusty metal can be seen in a unique pattern.
a photograph taken in at an urbex location called blue power plant. the photograph shows a rusty metal sign containing the logo of cokcerill-sambre energie with the text "explotation nre de jours sans accident shomants".