Transport Minister John Spellar today (Monday 21 October 2002) switched off the
last working turbine at Lots Road Power Station, Chelsea, which has supplied electricity
to London Underground for the past century.
After 97 years of continuous generation for London Underground, Lots Road Power
Station finally ceased operations.
Construction began in 1902 to provide power for the Metropolitan Railway and
the Metropolitan District Railway (now the Metropolitan
and District
lines on London Underground) in readiness for the change to electrified lines,
and from steam to electric trains.
Completed in 1905, it was claimed at that time to be the largest power plant ever
built.
Paul Godier, London Underground's Managing Director said: "Lots Road has
remained in continuous operation on the same site since 1905 and was one of the
oldest working power stations in Europe.
"London Underground has a successful Private Finance Initiative Contract
with SEEBOARD Powerlink
(SPL) which signed a 30-year contract in 1998, for them to manage, maintain,
develop and finance London Underground's power supply system.
"My thanks to the dedicated and skilled London Underground and SPL staff
who planned and implemented the transfer to the National
Grid so successfully, and have kept this vintage power station working safely.
"The Tube will now get all its electricity from the National Grid. But in
the event of National Grid failure, Lots Road's smaller sister station at Greenwich,
equipped with quick start gas turbines, will be used for emergency power and SPL
has installed battery lighting at all stations to provide emergency lighting.
"SPL have injected much needed capital into the system to install equipment
so that London Underground is able to take all its power supplies from the National
Grid."
Transport Minister John Spellar, said: "Lots Road has considerable history
and has served London well, but it is now time to move on. Transferring to the
National Grid will mean a more reliable and environmentally-friendly power supply
for the Tube. This project is a good example of the public and private sector
working in partnership to improve services for travellers in London."
Vincent de Rivaz, Chief Executive L.E Group and Chairman, SEEBOARD Powerlink said:
"This is the culmination of an exciting project that has been delivered by
the private sector in close co-operation with our customer, LUL.
"SPL will continue to work with LUL to provide a safe, reliable power system
for the remaining 26 years of our 30 years' contract."
There has been close consultation with the trade unions over a number of years
about the closure programme. All 120 staff have been counselled individually and
redeployments to other parts of SPL have taken place over the last two years.
The rest of the staff were given help to find jobs externally, with about a third
of staff preparing for retirement. Special loyalty bonuses and generous severance
terms were negotiated.
Developer Circadian purchased Lots Road three years ago, intending to convert
the old building into shops and apartments. The staged payments will total nearly
£34 million.
On top of this LUL will receive a further sum, between £25 million and £33
million, depending upon final planning, densities and sales. This money will be
used to improve the Tube network for the benefit of London.
The Circadian scheme
is an important regeneration of a brown field site in an important part of London
and opens up vistas of the river to the public. It will also incorporate affordable
housing for key and lower income workers.
Note to Editors
SEEBOARD Powerlink is a consortium formed by SEEBOARD, Balfour
Beatty and ABB.
