Stepney Power Station Explained

Stepney Power Station
Coordinates:	51.5096°N -0.0345°W
Country:	England
Location:	Tower Hamlets, London
Status:	Decommissioned and demolished
Operator:	Stepney Borough Council (1907–1948) British Electricity Authority (1948–1955) Central Electricity Authority (1955–1957) Central Electricity Generating Board (1958–1972)
Th Fuel Primary:	Coal
Ps Chimneys:	1 (351 feet)
Ps Cooling Source:	River water
Ps Units Operational:	1 × 34 MW (1964-72)
Ps Annual Generation:	(See text)

Stepney Power Station (sometimes known as Limehouse Power Station) was a small coal-fired power station situated by the Thames on the north side of Narrow Street, Limehouse, London.

History

Stepney Borough Council began construction of the station at Blyth Wharf in 1907. A coaling jetty was built in 1923.^[1] The station supplied the boroughs of Stepney and Bethnal Green.^[2]

New generating equipment was added as the demand for electricity increased. The generating capacity, maximum load, and electricity generated and sold was as follows:^{[3] [4]}

Year

Generating capacity, MW	Maximum load, MW	Electricity generated, GWh	Electricity sold, GWh
1903/04	1.72	1.266	2.745	2.53
1912/13	8.00	6.046	17.783	14.580
1918/19	16.50	9.720	28.812	25.383
1919/20	16.00	10.24	30.836	28.503
1923/24	32.00	17.501	50.053	42.140
1936/37	70.00	41.904	95.304	98.686
1946		61.48	140.157	128.92

In 1923 the plant comprised one 1,500 kW, one 2,000 kW, two 5,000 kW, and one 10,000 kW turbo alternators, totalling 23,500 kW. The surplus of revenue over expenses in 1923 was £129,659.^[5]

Following pollution problems from the original chimneys a single tall brick chimney was constructed in 1937, dominating the area.^[6] In 1956 it was reported that the first Brown-Riley coal pulveriser had been installed at Stepney power station and having been in operation for some time was working with satisfactory results.^[7] At this time the equipment comprised: 1 × 34 MW Fraser & Chalmers-GEC; 1 × 19 MW Escher-Wyss-Oerlikon; 1 × 6.25 MW Escher-Wyss-Brown-Bovery; and 2 × 12.5 MW Metro-Vickers turbo-alternators.^[8]

During its final decade of operation the station comprised a single 34 MW generator.^[9] This was supplied with steam at a range of pressures and temperatures: 180/350 psi (12.4/24.1 bar) at 299/399/460 °C. The steam capacity of the boilers was 753,000 lb/hr (94.9 kg/s). The boilers comprised 3 × Stirling; 3 × Spearling; and 2 × Babcock & Wilcox. Electricity output from Stepney power station was as follows.^{[10] [11]}

Stepney annual electricity output GWh.The station continued generation until 1972 and has since been demolished. The coaling jetty in the river remains.

External links

• Historic image on Flickr. Stepney Power Station on the right.

Notes and References

1. Book: Ellmers, Chris . London's Riverscape Lost and Found: Panorama of the River from 1937 and today . Alex Warner . 2000 . The London's Riverscape Lost and Found Partnership . 1-874044-30-9 . 43–44 .
2. Web site: National Archives. London Electricity Board (LEB)Pre-Vesting Undertakings (1882 - 1948) LMA/4278/01 1883 - 2003. 21 April 2009.
3. Book: London County Council. London Statistics (various volumes). London County Council. London.
4. Electricity Commission, Generation of Electricity in Great Britain year ended 31st December 1946. London: HMSO, 1947.
5. Book: Electricity Commissioners. Electricity Supply - 1920-1923. HMSO. 1925. London. 86–9, 320–25.
6. Web site: Pastscapes: Stepney Power Station. Historic England. 23 January 2020.
7. News: John Brown and Company Limited. 1 October 1956. The Times (page 15).
8. Book: Garrett. Frederick C. . Garke's Manual of Electricity Supply. Electrical Press. 1959. London. A-97, A-134.
9. CEGB Statistical Yearbook (various dates). CEGB, London.
10. British Power Stations operating at 31 December 1961. Electrical Review. 1 June 1962. 931.
11. CEGB Annual Report and Accounts, various years