Monument protection for Kraftwerk Jänschwalde: challenges and opportunities!

Monument protection for Kraftwerk Jänschwalde: challenges and opportunities!

Kraftwerk Jänschwalde, 03130 Guben, Deutschland - Brandenburg's Minister of Science Manja Schüle emphasized on June 11, 2025 in the state parliament's science committee that there are no hurdles for planned conversions for the industrial plants Kraftwerk Jänschwalde and the Black Pump brikett factory despite the possible monument protection. This assessment takes place according to the decision of the State Office for Monument Preservation to include both facilities in the list of monuments in the state of Brandenburg. Schüle explained that all operating-related repair and adaptation measures are approved by monument protection law, which is an important prerequisite for future planning. At the same time, all other projects of Lausitz Energie Bergbau AG (LEAG) must be submitted to the monument authorities.

In her opinion, the minister emphasized that the monument authorities have guaranteed that the monument authorities have to process applications quickly and carefully. This should be important for LEAG, since the company expressed criticism of the protection position in May and feared possible restrictions on investments. Nevertheless, Schüle confirmed that the modernizations and conversions of the two industrial culture facilities are not only possible, but should also be sought.

meaning for industrial culture

The Jänschwalde power plant, which was built between 1976 and 1989, and the briquette factory black pump, which had been operated since 1963, are considered significant testimonies of the East German industrial culture and have "clear monument value". Both systems are still in active operation and are to be integrated into sustainable development in the future. The monument protection does not affect their operation, and there is an agreement between LEAG and the monument authorities to find practical solutions that meet both the listed infrastructures and the transformation of the energy locations.

With the entry in the list of monuments, the Jänschwalde power plant and the briquette factory black pump are given a special role within the industrial culture of Lusatia. Experts and those responsible rely on a joint search for solutions that enable both the preservation of historical architecture and the necessary modernizations.

For deeper insights into the upgrading and the protection of industrial cultural sites, interested parties can visit the platforms Industrie-Kultur to learn more about current developments in monument conservation and industrial culture.

summarized it is shown that the monument protection for the Jänschwalde power plant and the Brikettfabrik Black Pump is not viewed as a stumbling block, but as an opportunity for a successful symbiosis of tradition and progress. The conversations and planning will be decisive in the coming months to ensure a harmonious coexistence of both aspects.