Wangi Power Station

Last updated

Wangi Power Station
WangiPowerStation.JPG
Wangi Wangi Power Station, 2007
Location Wangi Wangi, City of Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates 33°03′48″S151°34′15″E / 33.0632°S 151.5708°E / -33.0632; 151.5708
Built19491960
ArchitectRailways NSW architect (unknown) & Colin Smith of CH Smith & Johnson Architects
OwnerCentennial Fassifern Pty Ltd; Department of Trade & Investment, Regional Infrastructure & Services; IJ McDonald Pty Ltd; National Parks and Wildlife Service
Official nameWangi Power Station Complex
Typestate heritage (built)
Designated2 April 1999
Reference no.1014
TypeElectricity Generator/Power Station - coal/gas/oil
CategoryUtilities - Electricity
Buildersseveral
Australia New South Wales relief location map.png
Red pog.svg
Location of Wangi Power Station in New South Wales
Australia relief map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Wangi Power Station (Australia)

Wangi Power Station is a heritage-listed former coal-fired power station at Wangi Wangi, City of Lake Macquarie, New South Wales on Lake Macquarie. The power station operated between 1956 and 1986 and supplied electricity to New South Wales. It was once the largest in the state. [1] The 12,000-square-metre (130,000 sq ft) building was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. [2]

Contents

History

The power station under construction SLNSW 32304 New Wangi Power Station.jpg
The power station under construction

In 1946, the New South Wales Government approved the construction of the power station on Lake Macquarie at Wangi Wangi by the New South Wales Government Railways. Wangi Wangi was chosen for its proximity to a large body of water and coalfields. The power station was officially opened on 7 November 1958 by the NSW Premier, Joseph Cahill, after ten years of construction and two years of progressive commissioning of the six turbo-alternators from C. A. Parsons and Company, which gave it a capacity of 330 MW. [2] One thousand men camped in Wangi Wangi during the peak construction period.

Wangi Power Station played an eminent part in relieving New South Wales of drastic power shortages during the late 1950s and playing a major role in restoring power supply to New South Wales after the total state power shutdown of 10 June 1964. Wangi Power Station was decommissioned in 1986, approximately thirty years after the first turbo-alternator commenced operation. [2] The greater part of the generating equipment was removed by the early 1990s.

While the generating equipment has been removed, the main buildings and emission stacks still stand as of 19 May 2019. The site has been subject to proposals for redevelopment into residential and retail properties since the 1990s. [1]

'A' Station - 150 MW

Wangi 'A' Station consisted of three 50 MW Parsons turbo-alternators. Steam was supplied at 650PSI and 840degF from six spreader-stoker coal-fired Babcock & Wilcox (UK) (now Babcock International) cross drum boilers. The firing system consisted of the Spreader Stoker and Babcock & Wilcox Detroit Rotograte. Rapidly rotating blades of the spreader feeder unit flung coal of the required size onto the rotograte, with a large percentage igniting before landing on the grate. The amount of coal feed could be regulated by varying the length of the stroke of the pusher plate supplying fuel to the coal feeder. There were two rotogrates fitted which consisted of two endless chains carrying transverse grate bars in a revolving action. Eight coal feeder units controlled through Reeves variable speed control drive. Each boiler had an output of 180,000 lb/h. It was a project of New South Wales Government Railways, but control was transferred before its completion to the Electricity Commission of New South Wales, which was formed in 1950.

'B' Station - 180 MW

The later 'B' Station, a modified product of the Electricity Commission of New South Wales, had three 60 MW Parsons units. Steam was supplied by 3 Babcock & Wilcox boilers that burnt pulverised coal. Steam pressure was 950PSI and steam temperature was 950 deg F. It was unit type plant and each boiler supplied 550,000 lb/h of steam to one turbine only.

To reduce visible emissions, the electrostatic precipitators of 'A' Station were upgraded to shaker-type fabric filters, and those of 'B' Station were upgraded to high pressure pulse jet bag filters, in 1976. The shaker-type fabric or bag filter has since become a standard feature of power stations in New South Wales.

Heritage listing

The Wangi Power Station has highest level State heritage Significance for its association with leading the evolution of coalfields - sited power stations and power generation in New South Wales. It has similar level significance for being the largest power station in NSW for at least its first five years of operation. Its pre-eminent part in relieving NSW from the drastic power shortages and blackouts during the late 1950s and playing major roles in restoring power supply to NSW after the total state power shutdown of 10 June 1964. Wangi Power Station was the last of the Railway's power stations to be built, and the last one to close, and represents the transition from Railways to Elcom as the predominant power generation authority in NSW. [3] [2]

Wangi Power Station Complex was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 having satisfied the following criteria. [2]

The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales.

The Wangi Power Station has highest level State heritage Significance for its association with leading the evolution of coalfields - sited power stations and power generation in New South wales. It has similar level significance for being the largest power station in NSW for at least first five years of operation. Its pre-eminent part in relieving NSW from the drastic power shortages and blackouts during the late 1950s and playing a major roles in restoring power supply to NSW after the total state power shutdown of 10 June 1964. Wangi Power Station was the last of the Railway's power stations to be built, and the last one to close, and represents the transition from Railways to Elcom as the predominant power generation authority in NSW. [3] [2]

The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

Wangi Power Station has highest level State significance being: aesthetically distinctive, showing creating and technical innovation, associated with the creative accomplishments of an eminent Architect and for continuing to act as a prime exemplar of a particular style of Architectural expression. Wangi Power Station is significant for its intended position as the "showpiece" of power generation in the state. Its position as a show piece was evidenced by the excellence of its architectural design, by the high quality of workmanship in the brick cladding, and in the outstanding appearance and quality of design and materials used. [3] [2]

The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.

Wangi Power Station has regional social significance. [3] [2]

The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.

Wangi Power station has state level technical significance because it has unique potential to reveal worthwhile historical and scientific information unavailable elsewhere and it is a major reference in the state. [3] [2]

The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.

Wangi Power Station is significant as a rare example in Australia of industrial architecture. The building is significant for its rarity as a modern power station designed and built with its architectural appearance, as an integral part of its landscape and environment to the forefront of its design parametres, rather than using purely technological and economic factors to dictate the design. [2]

Wangi Power Station is one of the last major buildings in Australia to have a structural frame of riveted steel. Further it is significant for its construction method, which incorporated an early use of the "fast tracking idea", whereby one end of the building was in full production before the other was fully erected. [3] [2]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richmond Power Station</span>

Richmond Power Station was a coal fired power station which operated on the banks of the Yarra River in Richmond, Victoria, Australia from its construction in 1891 until its closure in 1976. It was one of the first alternating current (AC) electricity generation plants in the state. It has since been converted into office space and is the headquarters of international fashion brand Country Road and advertising agency CHE Proximity. The area in which it is located is now called Cremorne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Balmain Power Station</span>

The Balmain Power Station was located at Iron Cove, 4 km (2 mi) from Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. The station no longer exists and residential properties now occupy the site. This plant is often confused with the White Bay Power Station, the remains of which are still standing in Rozelle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White Bay Power Station</span> Power station in New South Wales, Australia

The White Bay Power Station is a heritage listed former coal-fired power station on a 38,000 m2 (410,000 sq ft) site in White Bay, in the suburb of Rozelle, 3 km (2 mi) from Sydney in New South Wales, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eraring Power Station</span> Coal-fired power station in New South Wales, Australia

Eraring Power Station is a coal-fired power station consisting of four 720 MW Toshiba steam-driven turbo-alternators for a combined capacity of 2,880 MW. The station is located near the township of Dora Creek, on the western shore of Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia and is owned and operated by Origin Energy. It is Australia's largest power station. The plant has two smokestacks rising 200 m (656 ft) in height. It was scheduled for closure by mid-2025, after a failed attempt to sell the loss making power station back to the state government. The New South Wales Government in May 2024 extended the operational life of Eraring to August 2027.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Munmorah Power Station</span> Former power station in NSW Australia

Munmorah Power Station is a demolished coal-fired power station with four 350 MW English Electric steam driven turbo-alternators for a combined capacity of 1,400 MW. The station was located near Doyalson, on the shores of Lake Munmorah, New South Wales, Australia and was owned and operated by Delta Electricity, a company owned by the New South Wales Government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vales Point Power Station</span> Coal-fired power station in Australia

Vales Point Power Station is one of two operating coal fired power stations on the shores of Lake Macquarie, New South Wales. Vales Point is located on the southern shore of the lake, near the township of Mannering Park. It has two steam turbines, with a total generating capacity of 1,320 MW (1,770,000 hp) of electricity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portishead power station</span> Series of two coal and oil-fired power stations

Portishead Power Station refers to a series of two coal and oil-fired power stations which operated in the dock area of Portishead in Somerset, South West England, between 1929 and 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spencer Street Power Station</span>

Spencer Street Power Station was a Victorian era coal and (later) oil-fired power station which operated on Spencer Street in central Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The station was opened in 1894 in order to power electric street lights, then supplied power to the city's residents, as well as being a wholesale supplier to other municipal distributors. It came under the management of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria in 1941. By the 1960s the capacity of the station reached 109 MW, but was used only for peak load. The station was closed in 1982 after becoming redundant. Eventually deemed an eyesore, demolition commenced in 2006 and was completed in 2008, and a large residential and retail development called Upper West Wide was completed on the site by 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newport Power Station</span>

The Newport Power Station was a complex of power stations located on the west bank of the Yarra River, approximately 6 km south-west of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, in the suburb of Newport. Newport A, B, and C were coal-fired plants which operated at the site between 1919 and the 1980s, and were claimed to be the largest power station in the southern hemisphere in 1953 with 42 boilers and 14 turbo-alternators producing 327 megawatts (439,000 hp).

Cockle Creek Power Station was located in Teralba, New South Wales, Australia, on the banks of Cockle Creek. The power stationed operated from 11 March 1927 until March 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bunnerong Power Station</span>

Bunnerong Power Station was a coal-fired power station in the south-eastern Sydney suburb of Matraville, New South Wales, Australia that was decommissioned by 1975 and subsequently demolished. When the last generating units were commissioned, it was the largest power station in the southern hemisphere, with a capacity of 375 megawatts (MW) from eleven turbo-alternators. It was able to supply up to one third of the state's electricity needs at the time. It remained the most powerful until the completion of Vales Point Power Station in 1966.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electricity Commission of New South Wales</span>

The Electricity Commission of New South Wales, sometimes called Elcom, was a statutory authority responsible for electricity generation and its bulk transmission throughout New South Wales, Australia. The commission was established on 22 May 1950 by the Electricity Commission Act 1950 to take control of power generation in the State. The commission acquired the power stations and main transmission lines of the four major supply authorities: Southern Electricity Supply, Sydney County Council, the Department of Railways and the Electric Light and Power Supply Corporation Ltd, also known as the Balmain Electric Light Company, the owner and operator of Balmain Power Station. The commission was responsible for the centralised co-ordination of electricity generation and transmission in the State, and some local councils continued to be distributors of electricity only.

Pacific Power was the state owned monopoly power generator in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The corporation was formed from the New South Wales Electricity Commission in 1995. It was broken up into TransGrid, Delta Electricity, Eraring Energy and Macquarie Generation in between 1995 and 2003. The consultancy division, Pacific Power International was acquired by Connell Wagner at the same time.

Hayle Power Station was a coal-fired power station situated at the mouth of the River Hayle, at Hayle in Cornwall, South West England.

The Ultimo Power Station, or Ultimo Powerhouse, was an electricity generating plant located in the inner-city Sydney suburb of Ultimo, New South Wales. Commissioned in 1899, it was the first major power station in Sydney and was originally built to supply power for the electric tram network. Prior to this, a small installation had existed at Regent Street, which was brought into use on 15 June 1882. Additionally, experimental electric tram operations powered by small generators had been in intermittent use in Sydney since 1890.

Zaara Street Power Station is a former coal-fired power station that was situated on Zaara Street, in the city of Newcastle, in New South Wales, Australia. The power station was built to supply power for the New South Wales Government Railways (NSWGR) in 1915, when the first turbo-alternator of 2.5 megawatts (3,400 hp) was commissioned. The installation of additional plant in 1920 led to a generating capacity of 28.5 megawatts (38,200 hp). The station was decommissioned in 1975 and demolished in 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richmond Main Colliery</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Richmond Main Colliery is a heritage-listed former coal mine and now open-air museum at South Maitland Coalfields, Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by the staff at J & A Brown's Engineering Workshops at Hexham under the direction of John Brown and built from 1908 to 1913 by J & A Brown. The site now operates as the Richmond Main Heritage Park, including the Richmond Vale Railway Museum and Richmond Main Mining Museum. The property is owned by Cessnock City Council. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

The Thornhill power station generated and supplied electricity to the town of Dewsbury and the wider regional area from 1902 to 1982, and again from 1998. The first generating station on the site was owned and operated by the Yorkshire Electric Power Company. Following nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948 Thornhill power station was operated by a succession of state owned bodies. The power station was redeveloped with new plant in 1915, 1925, 1932–37 and 1950–54. The coal-fired steam station was decommissioned in 1982, and was subsequently demolished. A gas turbine power station on the site was commissioned in 1998.

The Cardiff power stations supplied electricity to the City of Cardiff and the surrounding area from 1894 to about 1970. The original power station was in Riverside; a larger replacement station was built in Roath in the 1902, initially to supply the tramway system. They were both owned and operated by Cardiff Corporation prior to the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The Roath power station was redeveloped in the 1920s and 1940s to meet the increased demand for electricity.

The Newport power stations supplied electricity to the town of Newport and the surrounding area from 1895 to the late 1970s. The original power station was in Llanarth Street which supplied electric lighting; a larger station, known as the East power station, was built in Corporation Road from 1903. They were owned and operated by Newport Corporation prior to the nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948. The East power station was redeveloped in the 1920s and 1940s to meet the increased demand for electricity.

References

  1. 1 2 Scott Bevan (21 February 2017). "Wangi icon needing a recharge". The Newcastle Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 28 September 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Wangi Power Station Complex". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Department of Planning & Environment. H01014. Retrieved 2 June 2018. CC BY icon.svg Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence .
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wangi Power Station: Conservation Management Plan by EJE Architecture, Jan 2000

Attribution

CC BY icon-80x15.png This Wikipedia article contains material from Wangi Power Station Complex , entry number 01014 in the New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence , accessed on 2 June 2018.

Further reading

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Wangi Power Station at Wikimedia Commons