Chesterfield power station

Chesterfield was the location of a pioneering electricity system in the 1880s.[1] In 1881 Hammond and Company lit Chesterfield’s main streets with 8 arc lamps from a generator installed in the yard of the Theatre Royal. By the end of the year 22 arc lamps were in service. Two 20 horse power (14.7 kW) compound engines coupled to Brush dynamos were installed along the River Hipper. These were capable of supplying 80 arc lamps and 640 incandescent lamps. The supply system included 15 miles (24 km) of overhead conductors. The system was uneconomic and was shutdown in 1884. Street lighting reverted to gas lamps.[1]

In 1894 Chesterfield Corporation 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. 1) Act 1894 (57 & 58 Vict. c. xlix).[2] However, little progress was made with construction.

In 1898 a group of manufacturers in the Chesterfield area promoted the General Power Distribution Company.[3] This was intended to compete with municipal electricity undertakings and provide supplies to an area with a million people. The municipal authorities lobbied to oppose the scheme and the Bill was rejected by Parliament.[3]

The Corporation eventually built a power station at Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield (53°14'10"N 1°26'21"W)[4] which first supplied electricity to the town in 1901.[5] The power station also supplied electricity for the Chesterfield Corporation Tramways which operated a tram service from 1904 to 1927.[6]

Chesterfield Corporation owned the power station and electricity supply system until nationalisation of the British electricity industry in 1948.[7] Under nationalisation the Chesterfield electricity undertaking was abolished, ownership of the power station was vested in the British Electricity Authority, and subsequently the Central Electricity Authority and the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB).[1] At the same time the electricity distribution and sales responsibilities of the Chesterfield electricity undertaking were transferred to the East Midlands Electricity Board (EMEB).

The power station continued to operate for a decade after nationalisation until it was closed on 1 April 1958,[5] and was subsequently demolished. The site has been redeveloped with commercial premises.

In 1923 the generating plant comprised:[8]

• Coal-fired boilers supplying 121,000 lb/h (15.2 kg/s) of steam to:
• Generators:
  • 2 × 100 kW reciprocating engines and direct current generator sets
  • 2 × 200 kW reciprocating engines and DC generator sets
  • 1 × 880 kW reciprocating engine and DC generator set
  • 1 × 400 kW reciprocating engine and alternating current (AC) generator set
  • 1 × 2,000 turbo-alternators AC
  • 1 × 3,000 turbo-alternators AC

These machines had a total generating capacity of 6,880 kW, of which 1,480 kW was DC and 5,400 kW AC.[8]

Electricity supplies were available to consumers at:

• 3-phase 50 HZ AC at 6,000 V, 415 and 240 Volts
• DC at 480 and 240 Volts
• DC traction current 500/550 Volts[8]

The end use of electricity over the period 1921–23 was:[8]

The operating parameters of the electricity system were:[8]

Revenue from sales of current was £42,960 (1922) and £35,903 (1923). The surplus of revenue over expenses £14,655 (1922) and £17,914 (1923).[8]

The electricity output and operating data in the final years was:[5][9]

• Timeline of the UK electricity supply industry
• List of power stations in England