Timeline of Worcester's Power Heritage
Once upon a time there was a world without electricity.
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Hard to believe in these current (pun intended) times.
Worcester’s electric story focuses on two locations: Powick and Hylton Road.
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'From the present, Worcester will stand forth as the first important example of the use of water power in England'. Electrical Engineer, 1894
Powick
The original Worcester Power Station was opened in 1894, situated on the River Teme at Powick and was designed to be powered by water, steam, or both depending on the demand and the state of flow of the river. By 1898, Powick had been extended to 900kw, doubling its original capacity. The demand for electricity continued to grow and this coupled with the decision to electrify Worcester’s horse tramway meant further expansion was necessary.
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The water power at Powick had been fully exploited and so with the related high costs of carting coal to Powick, the expense of additional feeder cables and the difficulty of extending the building, a site at Hylton Road was selected on which to build a new steam-driven power station.The steam generating plant at Powick closed in 1906, though the hydro-electric turbines were still in operation. Powick eventually closed down c1950 and has now been converted to apartments. It is now a Grade II Listed Building.
Image supplied courtesy of The Changing Face of Worcester
Hylton Road
By 1900 it was clear that there was a need for a supplemental generating station in order to provide for increased consumption, not only due to the natural growth of the business but also to supply current for tramway traction. The electrified tramways were originally intended to be in place by 1902, though not completed until 1904.
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Photograph from Worcester City Council Historic Environment Record
Image supplied courtesy of The Changing Face of Worcester
To meet the expected post-war increase in demand for electricity, the corporation commissioned a new power station on the existing site at Hilton Road. The 1945 steel-framed station had a stepped elevation of three spaces containing the boilers, turbines and services
Upon nationalisation of the British electricity supply industry in 1948 ownership of the Worcester power station was vested in the British Electricity Authority later the Central Electricity Authority then to the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB). The responsibility for the distribution and sales of electricity was taken over by the Midlands Electricity Board.
The Worcester power station closed on 25 October 1976 and was demolished in 1979.
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