The plant operated from 1981 to June 28, 2015, when it was taken offline as part of the phase out policy for nuclear power in Germany.

As a result of the plant's closure, Germany has increasingly relied on coal, natural gas, and renewable energy to generate electricity.

Under the phase out policy for nuclear power in Germany, the plant was scheduled to shut down on 31 December 2015.

Citing economic reasons, E.ON declared intent to shut down the plant earlier, originally at the end of May 2015.

The demolition was delayed momentarily by a pro-nuclear protester who had climbed ten meters up a power transmission pole within the blast radius.