Kraftwerk – Bäckermühle

Have you ever stopped to think about the power of the river? Right in front of us stands the Kraftwerk – Bäckermühle, a little-known gem in Munich, but a powerful reminder of the city’s industrial past. This small hydroelectric plant, nestled between the Auer Mühlbach and the Giesinger Berg, stands as a testament to the ingenuity of a man named Günther Tremmel. Imagine stepping back in time to the 1960s. The Bäcker-Kunstmühle, a mill that stood on this very spot for centuries, had fallen into disrepair. But Tremmel, a car mechanic, envisioned a future powered by the river’s flow. He leased the land from the city and in 1987 and 1988, built the Kraftwerk – Bäckermühle with two turbines. More than just a financial investment, the project was a call for a change in energy policy. After the Chernobyl catastrophe, the dangers of nuclear power had become clear, and Tremmel, a true believer in the water’s potential, sought alternative energy sources. The words on the side of the Kraftwerk – Bäckermühle sum up his vision: “The water’s course was idle, and nobody noticed. The power of water was forgotten, because everyone was obsessed with nuclear power. What man can destroy in nature through his arrogant delusions – let him remember that. In the future, reason should guide us. Don’t forget the power of water and let us keep it – that’s what the old people warned us.” So, the next time you walk by the Kraftwerk – Bäckermühle, remember this story. This small plant is a testament to one man’s vision, a reminder of the past, and a beacon of hope for a sustainable future.