Dairyland Power demolishes former coal power plant in Genoa

GENOA, Wis. (WLCX) – Dairyland Power Cooperative demolished its former coal power plant in Genoa on Tuesday.

The controlled implosion took down a plant that had been in service for 52 years. It was retired in 2021.

In a release, Dairyland Power said the moment was symbolic of its transition to carbon reduction and renewable energy.

“Dairyland is 100 percent behind renewable energy and carbon reduction, and 101 percent behind our commitment as a critical service provider to supply safe, reliable and affordable energy,” Brent Ridge, President and CEO, said.

Over 400 pounds of explosives were used to take down the former plant and its 500-foot smokestack.

Traffic on both Highway 35 and the Mississippi River was stopped for about a half hour during the demolition.

The land the plant was on hasn’t yet been planned for any other use, according to Dairyland Power.

You can watch a video of the demolition on the company’s Facebook page.