Reading Power Station (UK)

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Reading power station
Reading Power Station (UK)
CountryEngland
LocationReading
Coordinates 51°27′42″N00°58′18″W / 51.46167°N 0.97167°W / 51.46167; -0.97167 Coordinates: 51°27′42″N00°58′18″W / 51.46167°N 0.97167°W / 51.46167; -0.97167
StatusDecommissioned and demolished
Commission date 1895
Decommission date1960s
Owner(s)Reading Electric Supply Company Limited
(1893–1930s)
Reading Corporation
(1930s–1948)
British Electricity Authority
(1948–1955)
Central Electricity Authority
(1955–1957)
Central Electricity Generating Board
(1958–1970)
Operator(s)As owner
Thermal power station
Primary fuelCoal
Turbine technologySteam turbines
Cooling towersnone
Cooling sourceriver water
Power generation
Nameplate capacity 10.7 MW
Annual net output 7,510 MWh (1946)
[ edit on Wikidata]

Reading power station, Berkshire, England supplied electricity to the town of Reading and the surrounding area from 1895 to the 1960s. It was initially owned and operated by the Reading Electric Supply Company Limited, then from 1933 by the Reading Corporation until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948.  The power station was redeveloped several times with new equipment replacing retired plant. The station was decommissioned in the late 1960s.

Contents

History

In 1893 the Reading Electric Supply Company Limited applied for a Provisional Order under the Electric Lighting Acts to generate and supply electricity to the town. This was granted by the Board of Trade and was confirmed by Parliament through the Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No. 5) Act 1893 (57 & 58 Vict. c. cxli). [1] The company built a power station in Vastern Road Reading (51°27'42"N 0°58'18"W) [2] and supplied electricity from November 1895. [3] The riverside location facilitated the supply of coal by barge, and provided cooling water for the power station.

In 1910 the Reading Electric Supply Company obtained the Reading and District Electric Supply Act 1910 (10 Edw. 7 & 1 Geo. 5 c. xxix) [4] which permitted it to extend its area of supply. In 1914 the company further extended its supply area through the means of the Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No.7) Act 1914 (4 & 5 Geo. 5 c. cxx). [5] The supply area included Reading, Caversham, Mapledurham, Tilehurst and Theale; it provided electricity in bulk to York Town, Blackwater, Henley, Shiplake, Twyford and Sonning. [6]

Reading Electric Supply Company Limited

The Reading Electric Supply Company Limited was registered on 22 January 1892. [3] It generated and supplied electricity to the town of Reading and the surrounding area through the construction of a generating station at Reading and an electricity distribution network of high voltage cables. In 1921 the company operated 30 miles of feeder mains, 71 miles of distribution and service mains, with 1,890 kW of transformer and substation equipment. [6]

In 1921 the company chairman was William May; the managing director was G. W. Spenser Hawkes; the other directors were Sir Phillip Dawson, Charles Ernest Hewett, John May and William Pole Routh. [6] By 1926 John E Broadbent had replaced C. E. Hewett. The company's registered office was 3–5 Market Place Reading. [7]

The company raised capital through the issue of shares. For example, in 1921 it issued share capital of £152,000 in £1 shares and £100,000 7 ½ percent first mortgage debenture stock; [6] in 1926 it issued £152,125 in £1 shares and £150,000 6 percent debenture stock. [7] The revenue and profits of the company are outlined below.

In 1933 Reading Corporation acquired the electricity undertaking of the Reading Electric Supply Company Limited for £443,000. [8] The company was subsequently wound up.

Equipment specification

The original plant at Reading power station comprised horizontal compound condensing engines coupled directly to flywheel alternators. In 1898 the generating capacity was 375 kW and the maximum electricity load was 216 kW. [3]

Plant in the 1920s

New plant was installed to meet growing demand for electricity. By 1923 the generating plant comprised: [9]

These machines gave a total generating capacity of 3,250 kW of alternating current and 850 kW DC. [9]

A variety of electricity supplies were available to consumers:

Plant in 1955

New plant was commissioned as older plant was retired from service. By the 1950s Reading power station comprised: [10]

The boilers had a total evaporative capacity of 160,000 lb/h (20.2 kg/s), and supplied steam to:

There was also 1 × 200 kW Diesel engine set

The completed total installed generating capacity was 10.7 MW, with an output capacity of 10 MW. [10]

Condenser cooling water was drawn from the River Thames. [10]

Operations

Electricity operational data for the early years was as follows: [3]

Reading operational data 1894–97
YearConsumersLamps
1894382,150
1895834,300
18961548,700
189720112,299

The data demonstrates the rapid growth of electricity consumption during this period.

In 1898 maximum electricity demand was 216 kW. [3]

Operating data 1918–25

The electricity sold and revenue from 1918 to 1920 was as follows: [6]

Operational data 1918–20
YearConnections kWElectricity sold MWhRevenueNet profit
19186,1493,486£34,659£13,284
19196,7653,130£37,905£12,114
19207,0023,566£51,004£14,365

The operating data for the period 1921–23 is shown in the table: [9]

Reading power station operating data 1921–23
Electricity UseUnitsYear
192119221923
Lighting and domestic useMWh1,0481,0301,177
Public lighting useMWh596169
TractionMWh–––
Power useMWh2,4592,1912,248
Total useMWh3,5663,2823,494
Load and connected load
Maximum loadkW2,6282,7032,931
Total connectionskW7,6027,9238,482
Load factorPer cent20.217.917.9
Financial
Revenue from sales of current£–52,47258,727
Surplus of revenue over expenses£–15,30423,806

The number of customers, the electricity sold and the profit from 1922 to 1925 was: [7]

Operational data 1922–25
YearCustomersConnections kWLoad kWElectricity sold MWhTotal revenueNet profit
19222,0058,1602,9393,493£55,962£23,988
19232,1648,7303,2501,089£60,636£25,766
19242,3989,2003,5706,452£67,544£32,476
19252,68810,4304,2706,601£78,000£38,000

Under the terms of the Electricity (Supply) Act 1926 (16-17 Geo. 5 c. 51) [11] the Central Electricity Board (CEB) was established in 1926. [12] The CEB identified high efficiency ‘selected’ power stations that would supply electricity most effectively. The CEB also constructed the national grid (1927–33) to connect power stations within a region. [12]

Operating data 1946

Reading power station operating data in 1946 is given below: [13]

Reading power station operating data in 1946
YearLoad factor per centMax output load MWElectricity supplied MWhThermal efficiency per cent
1946–10,6457,510–

The British electricity supply industry was nationalised in 1948 under the provisions of the Electricity Act 1947 (10-11 Geo. 6 c. 54). [14] The Reading electricity undertaking was abolished, ownership of Reading power station was vested in the British Electricity Authority, and subsequently the Central Electricity Authority and the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB). [12] At the same time the electricity distribution and sales responsibilities of the Reading electricity undertaking were transferred to the Southern Electricity Board (SEB). [14]

Operating data 1954–67

Operating data for the period 1954–67 is shown in the table: [10] [15] [16]

Reading power station operating data, 1954–67
YearRunning hours or load factor (per cent)Max output capacity  MWElectricity supplied GWhThermal efficiency per cent
195419871111.41710.82
19551548117.1729.59
19561401107.86210.41
1957840104.4458.79
1958322101.6218.98
1961(1.0 %)100.8677.30
1962(1.2 %)101.0669.85
1963(3.96 %)103.47012.11
1967(5.6 %)104.90211.95

The data shows the declining use of Reading power station.

Closure

Reading power station was decommissioned in the 1960s. [17] The buildings were subsequently demolished and the area has been redeveloped with commercial units.

See also

Related Research Articles

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Huddersfield power station supplied electricity to the town of Huddersfield and the wider area from 1893 to 1981. It was owned and operated by Huddersfield Corporation until the nationalisation of the electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped several times: including the incorporation of new plant in the 1910s, and in the 1930s to 1950s. The station was decommissioned in October 1981.

Lombard Road power station supplied electricity to the Battersea area of South-East London from 1901 to 1972. It was owned and operated by the Borough of Battersea until the nationalisation of the electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped several times: including the incorporation of new plant in the 1910s and the 1930s. The station was decommissioned in 1972.

Burton upon Trent power station supplied electricity to the town of Burton upon Trent and the wider area from 1894 to 1976. It was owned and operated by Burton upon Trent Corporation until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped several times: including the incorporation of new plant in the 1910s, in 1924–28 and 1941–43. The station was decommissioned in October 1976.

Hammersmith power station supplied electricity to the London Borough of Hammersmith from 1897 to 1965. It was owned and operated by the Vestry / Borough of Hammersmith until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was frequently redeveloped with new plant over its operational life to meet increased demands for electricity. It was decommissioned in 1965.

Wandsworth power station supplied electricity to the London district of Wandsworth and to Putney, Tooting Graveney, Streatham and Clapham from 1897 to 1964. It was owned and operated by the County of London Electric Lighting Company Limited until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped during its operational life until it was decommissioned in 1964.

Barrow-in-Furness power station supplied electricity to the town of Barrow-in-Furness and the wider area of Lancashire, England from 1899 to about 1960. It was owned and operated by Barrow-in-Furness Corporation until the nationalisation of the UK electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped throughout its operational life. Barrow-in-Furness Corporation also operated Coniston hydro-electric power station.

The two Coventry power stations supplied electricity to the county borough of Coventry and the wider Warwickshire area from 1895 to 1976. They were owned and operated by Coventry Corporation until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The first power station was established in 1895 off Sandy Lane north of the city centre. A new larger power station was built at Longford / Hawksbury Junction in 1928 and was extended in 1938 and 1941. The Longford station was decommissioned in October 1976.

Canterbury power station supplied electricity to the City of Canterbury, Kent, England from 1900 to 1960. This small generating station was owned and operated by Canterbury Corporation until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped several times: including the incorporation of new plant in the 1920s. Canterbury power station was decommissioned in about 1960.

Halifax power station supplied electricity to the town of Halifax and the wider area from 1894 to the 1960s. It was owned and operated by Halifax Corporation until the nationalisation of the electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped several times and at its peak had a generating capacity of 48 MW.

Fleetwood power stations were two generating stations that supplied electricity to the town of Fleetwood, England and the surrounding area from 1900 to 1981. The first station was owned by the Fleetwood and District Electric Light and Power Syndicate and later by Fleetwood Urban District Council. The second station was owned and operated by the state following the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948; this power station was decommissioned in October 1981.

Wallasey power station supplied electricity to the town of Wallasey and the surrounding area from 1897. It was owned and operated by Wallasey Corporation until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped several times: including the incorporation of new plant in the 1920s and 1950. The station was decommissioned in the late 1960s.

Colchester power station supplied electricity to the town of Colchester, Essex, England and the surrounding area from 1900 to 1960. It was owned and operated by Colchester Corporation prior to the nationalisation of the electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped several times incorporating new plant.

Salisbury power station supplied electricity to the English city of Salisbury and the surrounding area from 1898 to c. 1970. It was owned and operated by Salisbury Electric Light and Supply Company Limited prior to the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped several times to incorporate new plant to replace retired equipment. The facilities included a water driven turbine.

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Scarborough power station supplied electricity to the town of Scarborough and the surrounding area from 1893 to 1958. It was owned and operated by the Scarborough Electric Supply Company Limited from 1893 to 1925, then by Scarborough Corporation until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The coal-fired power station had an ultimate electricity generating capacity of 7 MW prior to its closure in October 1958.

Grimsby power station supplied electricity to the town of Grimsby, England and the surrounded area from 1901 to the late 1960s. It was owned and operated by Grimsby Corporation prior to the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped in the 1920s and 1930s to meet the increased demand for electricity.

Leeds power station, also known as Whitehall Road power station, supplied electricity to the city of Leeds and the surrounding area from 1893 to 1965. It was initially built, owned and operated by the Yorkshire House-to-House Electricity Company Limited. Leeds Corporation took over the electricity undertaking in 1898 and generated and distributed electricity until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was redeveloped several times to meet increasing demand for electricity.

Greenhill power station supplied electricity to the town of Oldham, England and the surrounding area from 1921 to 1960. It replaced the older Rhodes Bank generating station and was superseded by Chadderton B power station. Greenhill power station was owned and operated by Oldham Corporation until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The power station was built over the period 1921–24 and was decommissioned in 1960.

Thanet power station, also known as St. Peter’s power station, supplied electricity to the towns of Broadstairs and Margate and other locations on the Isle of Thanet, Kent, England from 1901 to 1964. The station was owned and operated by the Isle of Thanet Electric Supply Company Limited until the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The coal-fired power station had an ultimate electricity generating capacity of 6 MW.

References

  1. ↑ "Electric Lighting Order Confirmation (No.5) Act 1893". legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  2. ↑ Ordnance Survey 25 inch England Berkshire XXIX.15 (Eye and Dunsden; Mapledurham; Reading) revised 1912, published 1913
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Garcke, Emile (1898). Manual of Electrical Undertakings 1898-99 vol. 3. London: P. S. King and Son. pp. 288–290.
  4. ↑ "Reading and District Electric Supply Act 1910". legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  5. ↑ "Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No.7) Act 1914". legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Reading Electric Supply Company". The Times. 12 December 1921. p. 17.
  7. 1 2 3 "Reading Electric Supply Company". The Times. 6 February 1926. p. 17.
  8. ↑ "News in Brief". The Times. 4 August 1933. p. 7.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Electricity Commissioner (1925). Electricity Supply – 1920–23. London: HMSO. pp. 200–203, 472–477.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Garrett, Frederick (1959). Garcke's Manual of Electricity Supply vol. 56. London: Electrical Press. pp. A-87, A-132.
  11. ↑ "Electricity (Supply) Act 1926". legislation.gov.uk. 1926. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  12. 1 2 3 Electricity Council (1987). Electricity supply in the United Kingdom: a Chronology. London: Electricity Council. pp. 45, 60, 69, 73. ISBN   085188105X.
  13. ↑ Electricity Commissioners (1947). Generation of Electricity in Great Britain year ended 31 December 1946. London: HMSO. p. 13.
  14. 1 2 "Electricity Act 1947". legislation.gov.uk. 1947. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  15. ↑ CEGB Annual report and Accounts, 1961, 1962 & 1963
  16. ↑ CEGB Statistical Yearbook 1967
  17. ↑ Reading power station is in the CEGB Statistical Yearbook for 1967 but is not included in the 1972 Yearbook
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