Carrington Power Station

A Metropolitan-Vickers Turbo-Alternator Set
On display at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry.

Brief Historical Overview

The site for the construction of Carrington Power Station was aquired in 1916, by the Manchester Corporation. The original intent was to build an oil fired power generating station, however the plans were changed due to objections from Trafford Borough Council.

The actual development of the site didn't begin until after the second world war, in 1947, by which time the plans had been altered to specify pulverised coal fuel (PCF) boilers.

My research suggests that initially, only two turbo-alternator sets were fitted, the other two, were added at a later date. The turbo-alternator sets were supplied by a company called Metropolitan-Vickers. The boilers were supplied by two different companies. Babcock and Wilcox, and John Brown Landboilers.

I offer you the following quote from "Garcke's Manual of Electricity Supply, Volume 49, 1951-52 Edition", which was kindly loaned to me by my friend.

Carrington (North Western Division -No. 3 Sub-Division).

New station, sanctioned 1946 (Manchester Corporation), now under construction at Carrington in the Bucklow Rural District of Cheshire.

Designed for an ultimate capacity of 240MW. First section programmed for commercial operation in 1953-54.

INITIAL INSTALLATION to comprise:
Two 60-MW. turbo-alternator sets (Metro-Vickers), generating at 11.8kV. with transformers stepping up to 132kV.; four 360k. lb./hr. pulverised-fuel fired boilers (Babcock & Wilcox). Steam conitions at T.S.V., 900 lb./sq. in. working pressure at 900° F.
Electrostatic grit arresters. Circulating water to be taken from the Manchester Ship Canal.
Second Section sanctioned July 1950, to comprise further two 60-MW turbo-alternators, and four 360 k. lb./hr. boilers.

Civil Engineering Consultants, C. S. Allott & Son. Tel. Nos. Resident Engineers (Civil), Irlam 2530; (Plant) Irlam 2036.

The station offically began generating electrical power for the national grid in 1956, although it was most probably generating power earlier, for testing purposes.

The station never made an economic profit, and in the 1980's, a decision was taken to decomission it, probably on economic grounds. The station ceased generating power for the national grid on 11am, February 12th, 1991.

Demolition of the main plant occurred some time in 1997 to 1998. The external plant, offices and other buildings were demolished later. Some still remain, as does the sub-station, which is still in operation today.