Past Generating Stations in the South West Peninsula

Updated 27th Mar 2007

Addendum:-
First Public Electricity Supplies In The South West

AVON


  1. ALMONDSBURY Site: The Bowl
    Comm. supply: 1920's
     
  2. BATH Site: Dorchester Street ....... 2200kW AC (1922)
    Comm. supply: 1890 .......... ........... 1200kW DC (1922)
     
  3. BRISTOL (TEMPLE BACK) Site: Temple Back (Bristol Corporation)
    Comm. supply: 1902 .. DC & AC systems
     
  4. BRISTOL (FEEDER ROAD) Site: Avonbank Brickworks(Bristol Corporation)
    Comm. Supply: 1902 1st phase Willans engines X2, 2nd Phase Parsons Turbines 1903
     
  5. KEYNSHAM Site: 1) Bath Hill .. Gas Engine
    .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2) Chewton Keynsham .. Waterwheel
    Comm.supply: 1889 at Bath Hill
     
  6. KINGSWOOD Site: Unknown .. Street Lighting only
    Comm. supply: 1892
     
  7. SEABANK Site : Hallen CCGT – Siemens 3 Gas Turbines & 2 Steam Turbines
    Comm. Supply : Phase 1 Mar 2000 (755MW)   Phase 2 Jan 2001 (385MW)   creating integrated output of 1140MW
     

SOMERSET


  1. BRIDGWATER Site: Mount Street 460,230v AC 1105kW (1930) suction gas engines (Westinghouse)X5
    Comm. supply: 1904 closed 1935 .... Building still there, unusual in that it never had boilers and steam.
     
  2. BURNHAM Site:Love Lane ...... 220v DC 110kW 2 suction gas sets
    Comm. supply: 1914 closed 1926
     
  3. CHARD Site: Salter & Stokes Saw Mills, Chard Junction 168HP
    Comm. supply: 1928 ....... 3-suction gas engines
     
  4. DULVERTON Site: 1st fulling/paper mill on Dulverton Town Leat, 2nd Beasley on River Barle Grid 2920 0271
    Comm. 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).
     
  5. HINKLEY POINT A (2 Reactors) & B (2 Reactors) Nuclear Power Stations
    Comm. Supply: Station A (500MW) 1965, Station B (1250MW) 1973
     
  6. MINEHEAD Site: 1) Quay Street .. 3 wire DC (Existing Substation 1999)
    Comm. supply: 1902 2) Marshfield Rd. Alcombe .. 1023kW (1930) .. (Existing Elec. Depot 1999)
     
  7. PORLOCK Site: 1) Hawkcombe Mill2) Old Manor Mill - waterwheels
    Comm. supply: 1909 closed 1932 .. reported Parson Street building still there
     
  8. PORTISHEAD Site: 1) Old Mill Road (Clevedon & District Co later North Somerset Co)
    Comm. supply: 1905 ..... Building still there, originally known as "Gas Lane"
    Power Station A .. .. .. 2) Portishead Dock - Portishead A (Bristol Corp)
    Comm. supply: 1929 -Decommissioned 1970 approx ..Demolished
    Power Station B .. .. .. 3) Portishead Dock - Portishead B (CEA/CEGB)
    Comm. supply: 1960 -Decommissioned 1982 ....... Demolished
     
  9. STREET Site: C & J. Clark Factory ... 440,220v DC
    Comm. supply: 1915 Taken over by Christy's (Mid-Somerset Co) Purchased by North Somerset Co. in 1929
     
  10. TAUNTON Site: St. James Street DC initially Steam Eng. later AC 5625kW (1930)
    Comm. supply: 1886 from Corporation St. premises, moved to James St. 1889 {Demolished 1980)
     
  11. WEDMORE Site: Grants Lane
    Comm. supply: 1908 Building still there as S/S but burnt down 1999
     
  12. WELLINGTON Site: Tonedale Factory(Fox Bros.)
    Comm. supply: 1916 (factory only) 2 Crossley Suction Gas Engines
     
  13. WESTON-SUPER-MARE Site: Locking Road 480,550v DC Steam Eng.
    Comm. supply: 1901 owned by BET Co. Ltd. Part buildings still there as S/S
     
  14. WINSCOMBE Site: ?
    Comm. supply: ? ......... Acquired by North Somerset Co. in 1930
     
  15. YEOVIL Site: Dampier Street ... 795kW (1930)
    Comm. supply: 1923
     

DEVON


  1. BAMPTON Site: ?
    Comm. supply: 1926 ....... Taken over by Exe Valley Co. 1930
     
  2. BARNSTAPLE Site: Castle Street ..... 460v DC 125kW C/O to AC in 1948
    Comm. supply: 1903 ........ Building still there as S/S
     
  3. BIDEFORD Site: East-of-the-Water 415/240v AC 400kW Gas & Oil
    Comm. supply: 1922 ........ (Building still there 1999)
     
  4. BERE ALSTON Site: Bere Ferrers .... 50kW
    Comm. supply: 1927
     
  5. BOVEY TRACEY Site : “Mill & Premises” where?
    1920 – 60HP Crossley Engine & waterwheel 46kW
    Comm. Supply : probably in 1910 when Dartmoor E.S Co established. 1920 –220v DC
     
  6. BRADNINCH Site: Kensham House ........ 37kW DC Waterwheel 12kW & 25kW
    Comm. supply: 1923 .... Taken over by the Culm Valley Co.
     
  7. BRAUNTON Site: ? ........... 25kW Oil Engine 125kW with 2x100hp semi-diesel oil engines (1930)
    Comm. supply: 1909 ...... Taken over by Bideford & District Co. 1934 (driving 2x62.5 kW dynamos)
     
  8. BRIDFORD Site: Bridford Mill water turbine DC 100V
    Comm. Supply: 1921
     
  9. BRIXHAM Site: Fore Street....440v DC 200kW (1926) Gas & Oil Eng
    Comm. supply: 1911 .... Remained an individual Co until nationalization
     
  10. BUCKFASTLEIGH Site: 1) Old Mill by monks Waterwheel 180HP(1913)
    Comm. supply: 1906 .. .. .. 2) Holne Road (1913) Taken over by Torquay 1931
     
  11. BUDLEIGH SALTERTON Site: Clinton Terrace....220/250v 241kW(1930)
    Comm. supply: 1925
     
  12. CHAGFORD Site: In village 2000vGen 100v AC Waterwheel (now turbine)
    Comm. supply: 1891 Started by Mr. Reed taken over by West Devon Co., transferred to BEA/CEGB in 1948, recently closed. Building still there.
     
  13. CHUDLEIGH Site: Parkway ......... 230v DC 38kW Water & Oil 73kW(1930)
    Comm. supply: 1923 ..... Remained an individual Co. until nationalization
     
  14. CHULMLEIGH Site: ? Remained a non-stat company until one year after nationisation
     
  15. COLYTON Site: Colcombe Mills (previously on River Coly 1921 – 5kW)
    Comm. Supply : 1923 ... Remained a non-stat company until two years after nationisation!!
     
  16. CULLOMPTON Site: ? ...... 400/230v AC 105kW Oil
    Comm. supply: 1923 ....Taken over by Culm Valley Co. and closed in 1930
     
  17. DARTMOUTH Site: Sand Quay ....480,530v DC 330kW(1926) Steam (Building as substation 1999)
    Comm. supply: 1902 .. Owned by Urban Electric Supply Co. Ltd.
     
  18. DAWLISH Site: Brook Street ... 220,240v DC 200kW (1926) Steam
    Comm. supply: 1911 .. .. Building still standing but in state of demolition, part S/S
     
  19. DEVONPORT Site: Newport Street ..... DC 1300kW(1903)
    Comm. supply: 1902 .... Recently Demolished 1994
     
  20. EAST YELLAND Site: 5.5 miles NNE of Bideford....180MW 6X30MW Parsons Sets
    Comm. Supply: 1953.....Buildings demolished Boilers by Thompson
     
  21. EXETER Site: 1) New North Road - building removed
    Comm. supply: 1889 ..... 2) Haven Road (1902) building still there
    THIS IS THE BEST EXAMPLE OF THE PERIOD & MUST BE PRESERVED
     
  22. EXMOUTH Site: ?
    Comm. supply: 1905 Taken over by East Devon Co. in 1929 and closed
     
  23. HOLSWORTHY Site: ? ...... 200v 45kW(1926) Gas & Oil
    Comm. supply: 1910 Owned by Christy Bros. absorbed into West Devon Co.
     
  24. HONITON Site: ?
    Comm. supply: ? ....... Taken over by East Devon Co. in 1931
     
  25. ILFRACOMBE Site: ? ...... 500v DC 330kW (1926) Steam
    Comm. supply: 1903
     
  26. IVYBRIDGE Site: 1) Union Mills, Fore Street 200v DC 80HP Waterwheel
    .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2) Keaton Road .......... 60kW(1930) & Gas Engine
    Comm. supply: 1909 .... IMPORTANT:-Building & aqueduct still there
     
  27. LYNMOUTH Site: East Lyn Mouth ... 100v AC 75kW
    Comm. supply: 1890 Lynton & Lynmouth Co. Buildings swept away by floods
     
  28. MARY TAVY Site: In village
    Comm. supply: 1932 Built by West Devon Co. (Christy's) OPERATIONAL
     
  29. MORWELLHAM Site: The Quay
    Comm. supply: 1934 Built by West Devon Co. (Christy's) OPERATIONAL
     
  30. 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.
    Comm. supply: 1923 2nd station decommissioned 1974
     
  31. OKEHAMPTON Site: East Okement River ..... Waterwheel later diesel
    Comm. supply: 1888 ... Taken over by West Devon Co. in 1929
     
  32. OTTERY ST.MARY Site: ?
    Comm. supply: ? ........ Taken over by East Devon Co. in 1930
     
  33. PAIGNTON Site: Dartmouth Road .... 440,550v DC 650kW(1922)
    Comm. supply: 1909 ... Station closed in 1930 supply from Torquay
     
  34. PLYMOUTH Site: Prince Rock - Plymouth A & B side by side
    Comm. supply:(A) 1899, (B) 1956, Decomm. : (A) 1974, (B) 1981 Both stations demolished
     
  35. SALCOMBE Site: Gasworks Quay .... AC 60kW(1930) (Building as substation 1999)
    Comm. supply: 1930
     
  36. SEATON Site: Homer Lane ...... 220,250v DC 80kW(1926)
    Comm. supply: 1924 as Seaton & District El. Light Co. Ltd., Offices Sidmouth Street
    (Building exists occupied by Crossroads Christian Centre)
     
  37. SILVERTON Site: ?....... AC 20kW Oil
    Comm. supply: 1928 ....... Taken over by Culm Valley Co. in 1930
     
  38. SIDMOUTH Site: The Ham
    Comm. supply: 1923 ... Taken over by East Devon Co. in 1929 & closed
     
  39. SOUTH MOLTON Site: "At foot of hill leading to town" .. Water & diesel
    Comm. supply: 1927 ... Taken over by Exe Valley Co. in 1930
     
  40. TAVISTOCK Site: ? ....... 250/500v DC
    Comm. supply: ?... W.G. Heath & Co Taken over by Christy Bros. 1931
     
  41. TEIGNMOUTH Site: ? ....... 240v DC 190kW (1926) Oil
    Comm. supply: 1922
     
  42. TIVERTON Site: Blundells Road...... 308kW(1930) - (Buildings remain as Builder's Yard 1999)
    Comm. supply: 1924 ... Remained an individual co. until nationalization
     
  43. TORQUAY Site: 1) Beacon Quay, Torquay
    Comm. supply: 1898 ... 2) Wharf Road, Newton Abbot
    Both stations removed
     
  44. TOTNES Site: Antrim Terrace ...... 450v DC 174kW(1930) (Building as a substation 1999)
    Comm. supply: 1904 .....Taken over by Torquay in 1934 & closed..
     

DORSET


  1. BRIDPORT Site: Fullbrook Lane ..... 400/230v 286kW (1930) (Building as substation 1999)
    Comm. supply: 1929 ..... Bridport Corporation
     
  2. LYME REGIS Site: Coombe Street...... Initial hydro + 35 HP oil engine bought by Borough Council in 1923 Plant Cap. 75kW
    Comm. supply: 1909 (non-stat)
     

CORNWALL


  1. BUDE Site: The Strand .... 420v DC 180kW in 1928 Gas & Oil (Building removed)
    Comm. supply: 1908 .. taken over by West Devon E.S. Co. in 1935
     
  2. CARN BREA Site: Pool, Nr. Camborne AC 900kW in 1922 Steam
    Comm. 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.
     
  3. FALMOUTH Site: Beacon Hill ..480/530vDC 290kW in 1922 Steam & Oil
    Comm. supply: 1906 by Electric Supply Corp. 503kW(1926) .. (Now Demolished)
     
  4. FOWEY Site: 1) ? .. 2) Pontsmill, St. Blazey 220v DC 154kW(1920) Steam
    Comm. supply: 1909 ... First site closed in 1927
    New Station in 1920 by St. Austell & District E.L. & P.Co.Ltd.
     
  5. HAYLE Site: North River Bank 10kV & 3kV AC 8.8MW(1922),94MW(1964)
    Comm. supply: 1911 by Cornwall E.P. Co. .. Decommissioned : 1976 Demolished except Control Room
     
  6. LAUNCESTON Site: * .. .. 210v DC 226kW in 1926 Gas & Oil
    Comm. supply: 1912 by Launceston E.S. Co .. .. Now demolished
    * Next to railway in a disused quarry, 1952 sawmill, now Ind. Estate.
     
  7. LISKEARD Site: Station Road 200v DC 118kW(1929) 3-Diesel Oil Eng.
    Comm. 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
     
  8. MEVAGISSEY Site: West Quay 200v DC, 1933 15 & 25kW dynamos oil eng
    Comm. supply: 1896 taken over in 1934 by St. Austell C/O to AC 50cycles
     
  9. NEWQUAY Site: Mount Wise .. .. .. 230/460v DC 435kW in 1926 Oil
    Comm. supply: 1906 By Newquay E.S. Co. Taken over by Urban El. S. Co. '28
     
  10. POLRUAN Site: ? Remained a non-stat company until two years after nationisation!
     
  11. ST.AUSTELL Site: 1) North Street (Buildings demolished)
    Comm. supply: 1886 (Mr. Veale) 220/100v DC 230/110v AC 787kW(1930)
     
  12. ST. BLAZEY Site: Ponts Mill (Now demolished) built by St. Austell Co.to supply China Clay Wkgs
    Comm. Supply: 1927
    • Original plant 3 x Mirrlees diesels with (2 x 200 + 1 x 132)kW alternators.
    • Added 1931 Crossley diesel with 300kW Crompton alternator
    • Added 1934 Newton diesel with 225kW Newton alternator
    • Final installed capacity 1057kW
       
  13. ST. MARYS (ISLES OF SCILLY) Still generating, mainly as standby since connection to the mainland
    (Details to be researched)
     
  14. WADEBRIDGE Site: ref SW 992726 (used as SWEB Store?)
     
Addendum:-

First Public Electricity Supplies In The South West

1886Taunton Electric Light Co. at St.James Street (Mr.Massingham)
1887St.Austell(J.E.Veale & Co.) at North Street taken over by St.Austell & District Electric Light & Power Co.Ltd in 1900.
1888Okehampton(First Hydro Scheme by Mr.Henry Geen, waterwheel on East Okement River at Blatchfords)
1889(Sept) Exeter Electric Light Co. at North Street (Mr.Massingham)
1889(Oct.)Keynsham Electric Supply Co.(dynamo suppling the Public Hall, Bath Hill, later hydro scheme on the River Chew possibly by George Parfitt-Chief Engineer)
1890(June)Bath - City Of Bath Electric Light Co. at Dorchester Street (Mr.Massingham)
1890(Mar.)Lynton & Lynmouth Electric Light Co. Lynmouth Hydro (Mr.Chas.Geen)
1891(Sept)Chagford - Hydro Scheme (Mr.George Reed)
1893(Aug.)Bristol Corporation Electricity Department at Temple Back
1896(Mar.)Mevagissey On The West Quay
1898Torquay Corporation at Beacon Quay
1899(Sept)City of Plymouth Electricity Department at Prince Rock
1901(May)Weston-Super-Mare & District Electric Supply Co. at Locking Road
1902Devonport Corporation at Newport Street
1902(Oct.)Dartmouth (Urban Electric Supply Co.) at Sand Quay
1902(Dec.)Minehead Electric Supply Co. at Quay Street, later Marshfield Road, Alcombe
1902Carn Brea (Urban Electric Supply Co.)
1903(Jan.)Barnstaple Corporation at Castle Street
1903(May)Ilfracombe Electric Light & Power Co. Site ?
1904Totnes (Electric Supply Corporation Ltd.) at Antrim Terrace
1905(Apr.)Exmouth (Electric Supply Corporation Ltd.) Site ?
1906Buckfastleigh by monks at monastery using waterwheel
1908(Apr.)Bude Electric Supply Co. at The Strand
1909(Dec.)Ivybridge (W.G.Heath & Co.,Plymouth) using waterwheel at Union Mills
1910/11Cornwall Electric Power Company at Hayle
1910Holsworthy El. Supply Co.
1911Brixham Gas & El Co.
Dawlish
1912(Feb)Braunton
Launceston
1913North Somerset Supply Co.
1914Burnham
Dulverton
Tavistock by W.G.Heath & Co
1915Street as Mid-Somerset El. Supply Co.
1922Teignmouth
1923(July 20th)Lyme Regis
1923Sidmouth
Culm Valley
Chudleigh
Yeovil
Bradninch
Silverton
Newton Abbot by Urban El. Supply Co.
1924Seaton
Tiverton
1925South Molton
Budleigh Salterton
1926Bampton
1927Crediton
Bere Ferrers
1928Axminster & Chard
Plymouth St.Mary
1930Wellington
East Devon
Salcombe