Past Generating Stations in the South West Peninsula
It’s surprising how many generating stations we have had over the years, showing how fragmented and localised the early industry was. Updated 28th February 2021.
AVON
ALMONDSBURY
Site: The Bowl
Commenced supply: 1920’s
BATH
Site: Dorchester Street ……. 2200kW AC (1922)
Commenced supply: 1890 ……. 1200kW DC (1922)
BRISTOL (TEMPLE BACK)
Site: Temple Back (Bristol Corporation)
Commenced supply: 1902 ……. DC & AC systems
BRISTOL (FEEDER ROAD)
Site: Avonbank Brickworks (Bristol Corporation)
Commenced Supply: 1902 1st phase Willans engines X2, 2nd Phase Parsons Turbines 1903
KEYNSHAM
Site: 1) Bath Hill .. Gas Engine
Site: 2) Chewton Keynsham .. Waterwheel
Commenced supply: 1889 at Bath Hill
KINGSWOOD
Site: Unknown .. Street Lighting only
Commenced supply: 1892
SEABANK
Site: Hallen ……. CCGT – Siemens 3 Gas Turbines & 2 Steam Turbines
Commenced supply Phase 1 Mar 2000 (755MW) Phase 2 Jan 2001 (385MW) creating integrated output of 1140MW
DORSET
BRIDPORT
Site: Fullbrook Lane ……. 400/230v 286kW (1930) (Building as substation 1999)
Commenced supply: 1929 ……. Bridport Corporation
LYME REGIS
Site: 1) Coombe Street …… .Initial hydro + 35 HP oil engine bought by Borough Council in 1923 Plant Cap. 75kW
Commenced supply: 1909 (non-stat)
Site: 2) Mill Lane First DC 50kW, later AC 150kW 2x75kW (1926) Oil Engines
Commenced supply: 1923 – Building as 11kV S/S
SYMONDSBURY
Site: Shute’s Farm …… DC 105/110volts small oil engine & dynamo with 55 – 2volt batteries.
Commenced Supply : Registered Nov. 1921
Taken over by Bridport Corporation around 1937/38
SOMERSET
BRIDGWATER
Site: Mount Street 460,230v AC 1105kW (1930) suction gas engines (Westinghouse)X5
Commenced supply: 1904 closed 1935 ……. Building still there, unusual in that it never had boilers and steam.
BURNHAM
Site:Love Lane ……. 220v DC 110kW 2 suction gas sets
Commenced supply: 1914 closed 1926
CHARD
Site: Salter & Stokes Saw Mills, Chard Junction 168HP
Commenced supply: 1928 ……. 3-suction gas engines
CHEDDAR
Site : Burnells Garage, Cliff Street 2 – 60hp gas engines, closed down by 1926.
Commenced Supply : 1922 – taken over by North Somerset Electric Supply Co. Ltd in 1924
DULVERTON
Site: 1st fulling/paper mill on Dulverton Town Leat
2nd Beasley on River Barle Grid 2920 0271
Commenced supply: 1914 at Beasley ……. Waterwheel 50kW Armfield turbines with 75v 30amp.Crompton Alternator
Taken over by Exe Valley Co. 1930 Corrugated iron shed still standing (just).
FROME
Site : ? 4 x Parsons/Dynamo Sets Cap: 525kW
Commenced supply : 1904
HINKLEY POINT A
Nuclear Power Station (2 Magnox Reactors) 6EE Alternator sets.
Commenced supply:1965
HINKLEY POINT B
Nuclear Power Station (2 Adv.Gas.Cooled Reactors)1250MW 8 AEI/GEC Alternator sets
Commenced supply:1973
MINEHEAD
Site: 1) Quay Street ……. 3 wire DC (Existing Substation 1999)
Commenced supply: 1902
Site: 2) Marshfield Rd. Alcombe ……. 1023kW (1930) ……. (Existing Elec. Depot 1999)
PORLOCK
Site: 1) Hawkcombe Mill
Site: 2) Old Manor Mill – Hydro, overshot wheel + gas engine
Commenced supply: 1909 taken over and closed 1932 ……. reported Parson Street building & wheel still there
PORTISHEAD
Site: 1) Old Mill Road (Clevedon & District Co later North Somerset Co)
Commenced supply: 1905 ……. Building still there, originally known as “Gas Lane”
Power Station A …….
Site: 2) Portishead Dock – Portishead A (Bristol Corp)
Commenced supply: 1929 -Decommissioned 1970 approx ……. Demolished
Power Station B …….
Site: 3) Portishead Dock – Portishead B (CEA/CEGB)
Commenced supply: 1960 – Decommissioned 1982 ……. Demolished
STREET
Site: C & J. Clark Factory ……. 440,220v DC
Commenced supply: 1915 Taken over by Christy’s (Mid-Somerset Co) Purchased by North Somerset Co. in 1929
TAUNTON
Site: St. James Street DC initially Steam Eng. later AC 5625kW (1930)
Commenced supply: 1886 from Corporation St. premises, moved to James St. 1889 {Demolished 1980)
WEDMORE
Site: Grants Lane
Commenced supply: 1908 Building still there as S/S but burnt down 1999
WELLINGTON
Site: Tonedale Factory(Fox Bros.)
Commenced supply: 1916 (factory only) 2 Crossley Suction Gas Engines
WESTON-SUPER-MARE
Site: Locking Road 480,550v DC Steam Eng.
Commenced supply: 1901 owned by BET Co. Ltd. Part buildings still there as S/S
WINSCOMBE
Site: ?
Commenced supply: ? ……. Acquired by North Somerset Co. in 1930
YEOVIL
Site: Dampier Street ……. 795kW (1930)
Commenced supply: 1923
DEVON
BAMPTON
Site: ?
Commenced supply: 1926 ……. Taken over by Exe Valley Co. 1930
BARNSTAPLE
Site: Castle Street ……. 460v DC 125kW C/O to AC in 1948
Commenced supply: 1903 …….. Building still there as S/S
BIDEFORD
Site: East-of-the-Water 415/240v AC 400kW Gas & Oil
Commenced supply: 1922 …….. (Building still there 1999)
BERE ALSTON
Site: Bere Ferrers ……. 50kW
Commenced supply: 1927
BOVEY TRACEY
Site : On Registration in 1910 only states “Mill & Premises” – but where?
1920 – 60HP Crossley Engine & waterwheel 46kW
Commenced Supply : probably in 1910 when Dartmoor E.S. Co established.
1920 – 220v DC
BRADNINCH
Site: Kensham House ……. 37kW DC Waterwheel 12kW & 25kW on river Culm
Commenced supply: 1923 …… Taken over by the Culm Valley Co.
BRAUNTON
Site: ? ……. 25kW Oil Engine 125kW with 2x100hp semi-diesel oil engines (1930)
Commenced supply: 1909 ……. Taken over by Bideford & District Co. 1934 (driving 2×62.5 kW dynamos)
BRIDFORD
Site: Bridford Mill water turbine DC 100V
Commenced Supply: 1921
BRIXHAM
Site: Fore Street. ….. 440v DC 200kW (1926) Gas & Oil Eng
Commenced supply: 1911 ……. Remained an individual Co until nationalization
BUCKFASTLEIGH
Site: 1) Old Mill by monks Waterwheel 180HP (1913)
Commenced supply: 1906 ……
Site: 2) Holne Road (1913) 2X Tangye Engines 180HP, taken over by Torquay 1931
BUDLEIGH SALTERTON
Site: Clinton Terrace ……. 220/250v 241kW(1930)
Commenced supply: 1925
CHAGFORD
Site: In village 2000vGen 100v AC Waterwheel (now turbine)
Commenced supply: 1891 Started by Mr. Reed taken over by West Devon Co., transferred to BEA/CEGB in 1948, recently closed. Building still there.
Sold to SW Water in 1990 and was sold to an engineer who renewed plant in 2007.
CHUDLEIGH
Site: Parkway ……. 230v DC 38kW Water & Oil 73kW(1930)
Commenced supply: 1923 …… Remained an individual Co. until nationalization
CHULMLEIGH
Site: ? Remained a non-stat company until one year after nationisation
COLYTON
Site: Colcombe Mills (previously on River Coly 1921 – 5kW)
Commenced Supply : 1923 …… Remained a non-stat company until two years after nationisation!!
CULLOMPTON
Site: ? ……. 400/230v AC 105kW Oil
Commenced supply: 1923 …… Taken over by Culm Valley Co. and closed in 1930
DARTMOUTH
Site: Sand Quay ……. 480,530v DC 330kW(1926) Steam (Building as substation 1999)
Commenced supply: 1902 ……. Owned by Urban Electric Supply Co. Ltd.
DAWLISH
Site: Brook Street ……. 220,240v DC 200kW (1926) Steam
Commenced supply: 1911 ……. Building still standing but in state of demolition, part S/S
DEVONPORT
Site: Newport Street ……. DC 1300kW(1903)
Commenced supply: 1902 ……. Recently Demolished 1994
EAST YELLAND
Site: 5.5 miles NNE of Bideford …….180MW 6X30MW Parsons Sets
Boilers by Thompson
Commenced Supply: 1955 ……..
Decommissioned 1984, buildings demolished
EXETER
Site: 1) New North Road – building removed
Commenced supply: 1889 …….
Site: 2) Haven Road (1902) building still there
THIS IS THE BEST EXAMPLE OF THE PERIOD & MUST BE PRESERVED
EXMOUTH
Site: ?
Commenced supply: 1905 Taken over by East Devon Co. in 1929 and closed
HOLSWORTHY
Site: Church Lane 200v 45kW (1926) Gas & Oil, 44kW, 40kW & 2kW = 104kW (1929)
Commenced supply: 1910 Owned by Christy Bros. absorbed into West Devon Co.
HONITON
Site: ?
Commenced supply: ? ……. Taken over by East Devon Co. in 1931
ILFRACOMBE
Site: St. Brannock Park Road 240/480v DC 330kW (1926) Steam
Commenced supply: 1903
IVYBRIDGE
Site: 1) Union Mills, Fore Street 200v DC 80HP Waterwheel
Site: 2) Keaton Road ……. 60kW(1930) & Gas Engine
Commenced supply: 1909 ……. IMPORTANT:-Building & aqueduct still there
LYNMOUTH
Site: East Lyn Mouth ……. 100v AC 75kW
Commenced supply: 1890 Lynton & Lynmouth Co. Buildings swept away by floods
MARY TAVY
Site: In village – Now owned by South West Water
Commenced supply: 1932 Built by West Devon Co. (Christy’s) OPERATIONAL
MORWELLHAM
Site: The Quay – Now owned by South West Water
Commenced supply: 1934 Built by West Devon Co. (Christy’s) OPERATIONAL
NEWTON ABBOT
Site: Wharf Road
Originally built by Urban Electric Supply Co., taken over by Torquay Corporation in 1926. Large station built in 1927. Both now demolished.
Commenced supply: 1923 2nd station decommissioned 1974
OKEHAMPTON
Site: East Okement River ……. Waterwheel later diesel
Commenced supply: 1888 ……. Taken over by West Devon Co. in 1929
OTTERY ST.MARY
Site: ?
Commenced supply: ? …….. Taken over by East Devon Co. in 1930
PAIGNTON
Site: Dartmouth Road ……. 440,550v DC 650kW(1922)
Commenced supply: 1909 …… Station closed in 1930 supply from Torquay
PLYMOUTH
Site: Prince Rock – Plymouth A & B side by side
Commenced supply:(A) 1899, (B) 1956, Decommissioned : (A) 1974, (B) 1981 Both stations demolished
PORLOCK
Site 1: Hawkcombe Mill
Site 2: Old Manor Mill Hydro overshot wheel + gas engine
Comm. Supply : 1909 Taken over and closed down in 1932.
SALCOMBE
Site: Gasworks Quay ……. AC 60kW(1930) (Building as substation 1999)
Commenced supply: 1930
SEATON
Site: Homer Lane …… 220,250v DC 80kW(1926)
Commenced supply: 1924 as Seaton & District El. Light Co. Ltd., Offices Sidmouth Street
(Building exists occupied by Crossroads Christian Centre)
SILVERTON
Site: ?……. AC 20kW Oil
Commenced supply: 1928 ……. Taken over by Culm Valley Co. in 1930
SIDMOUTH
Site: The Ham
Commenced supply: 1923 ……. Taken over by East Devon Co. in 1929 & closed
SOUTH MOLTON
Site: “At foot of hill leading to town” ……. Water & diesel
Commenced supply: 1927 ……. Taken over by Exe Valley Co. in 1930
TAVISTOCK
Site: Parkwood Road (Devon Woolcombers) 250/500v DC, later AC
Commenced supply: 1914
W.G. Heath & Co Taken over by Christy Bros. 1931
Hay Maryon water turbines and later 3 alternators by GEC (Newman Industries Installation) 30 hp, 720 rpm, 3 phase 440 volt
TEIGNMOUTH
Site: Old Quay 240v DC 190kW (1926) Oil
Commenced supply: 1922
TIVERTON
Site: Blundells Road …….308kW(1930) – (Buildings remain as Builder’s Yard 1999)
Commenced supply: 1924 ……. Remained an individual co. until nationalization
TORQUAY
Site: 1) Beacon Quay, Torquay
Commenced supply: 1898
Site: 2) Wharf Road, Newton Abbot
Both stations removed
TOTNES
Site: Antrim Terrace ……. 450v DC 174kW(1930) (Building as a substation 1999)
Commenced supply: 1904 …… Taken over by Torquay in 1934 & closed..
CORNWALL
BODMIN
Site: Bree Shute rear of Royal Hotel DC 200 volts
Commenced Supply : 1920
BUDE
Site: The Strand …. 420v DC 180kW in 1928 Gas & Oil (Building removed)
Commenced supply: 1908 .. taken over by West Devon E.S. Co. in 1935
CALLINGTON
Site : Newport ref. SX356697 (Now a 33/11kV S/S)
Oil engines driving dynamos, cap.100kW.
Commenced supply : 26th March 1925 DC 230volt – Shutdown in 1932, when changed to AC on take-over by Urban ESC
CARN BREA
Site: Pool, Nr. Camborne AC 900kW in 1922 Steam
Commenced supply: 1902 by Urban Electric Supply Co. Ltd. taken over by Cornwall E.P. Co. (Edmundsons) in 1906. Ceased Generation in 1911, when rotary convertors installed for DC to the Trams.
Part buildings still there, part of Cornwall College – Recently demolished.
FALMOUTH
Site: Beacon Hill ……. 480/530vDC 290kW in 1922 Steam & Oil
Commenced supply: 1906 by Electric Supply Corp. 503kW(1926) .. (Now Demolished)
FOWEY
Site: 1) ? …….
Site: 2) Pontsmill, St. Blazey 220v DC 154kW(1920) Steam
Commenced supply: 1909 ……. First site closed in 1927
New Station in 1920 by St. Austell & District E.L. & P.Co.Ltd.
HAYLE
Site: North River Bank 10kV & 3kV AC 8.8MW(1922),94MW(1964)
Commenced supply: 1911 by Cornwall E.P. Co. .. Decommissioned : 1976 Demolished except Control Room
LAUNCESTON
Site: Next to railway in a disused quarry, ref SX332849, 1952 sawmill, now Ind. Estate.
210v DC 226kW in 1926 Gas & Oil
Commenced supply: 1912 by Launceston E.S. Co ……. Now demolished
LISKEARD
Site: Station Road 200v DC 118kW(1929) 3-Diesel Oil Eng.
Commenced supply: 1925 Liskeard Gas & Elect. Co.(Non-stat). Taken over by CEPC in 1936 Supply c/o to 415/240v in 1932. Building remains as S/S
LOOE
Site: The Mill on West side of river SX253536
Commenced supply: ?
MEVAGISSEY
Site: West Quay 200v DC, 1933 15 & 25kW dynamos oil eng
Commenced supply: 1896 taken over in 1934 by St. Austell C/O to AC 50cycles
NEWQUAY
Site: Mount Wise ……. 230/460v DC 435kW in 1926 Oil
Commenced supply: 1906 By Newquay E.S. Co. Taken over by Urban El. S. Co. ’28
PADSTOW
Site : On North Quay ref. SW921755
Commence
d supply: ?
PENRYN
Site : Tresooth Mill, West End Ref : SW781348 Waterwheel then suction gas engine
Commenced supply: ? Acquired by CEPC 1930
POLPERRO
POLRUAN Site: ? Remained a non-stat company until two years after nationalisation!
Commenced supply: ?
ROCK
Commenced supply: ?
ST.AUSTELL
Site: 1) North Street (Buildings demolished)
Commenced supply: 1886 (Mr. Veale) 220/110v DC 230/400v AC 787kW(1930)
ST. BLAZEY
Site: Ponts Mill (Now demolished) built by St. Austell Co.to supply China Clay Wkgs
Commenced Supply: 1927
Original plant 3 x Mirrlees diesels with 3 alternators.(2-200 & 1-132kW)
Added 1931 Crossley diesel with 300kW Crompton alternator
Added 1934 Newton diesel with 225kW Newton alternator
SALTASH
Site: ?
Commenced supply: ?
ST. MARYS (ISLES OF SCILLY)
Originally St. Mary’s (Scilly) Electricity Supply Co. Ltd. Taken over by SWEB in 1957, then 5 machines Cap : 555kW, still generating, mainly as standby since connection to the mainland
Commenced Supply : 1932
TORPOINT
Site: ?
Commenced supply: ?
(Torpoint & Saltash undertakings were run by East Cornwall Electricity Supply Company and then supplied by submarine cables from Plymouth Corporation)
WADEBRIDGE
Site: ref SW 992726 (used as SWEB Store?)
Notes and suggestions for further reading
Also see:
Early public electricity supplies in the South West
Generation photos 1892 to 1919
Recent Comments