Bankside Power Station

Bankside Power Station
source
Name	Bankside Power Station
Location	London, England, United Kingdom
Operator	National Grid plc
Status	Decommissioned

Bankside Power Station was a major power station located in Southwark, London, on the south bank of the River Thames, near Blackfriars Bridge and Globe Theatre. The station was operated by National Grid plc and played a crucial role in the London power grid, supplying electricity to the City of London and surrounding areas, including Canary Wharf and Heathrow Airport. The power station was also connected to the National Grid and worked in conjunction with other power stations, such as Didcot Power Station and Drax Power Station, to meet the energy demands of the region, including BBC Television Centre and The Shard.

● History

The construction of the power station began in the early 20th century, with the first phase being completed in 1891 by Sebastian de Ferranti, an Italian-born electrical engineer and inventor, who also worked on the London Electric Supply Corporation and Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The power station was initially operated by the London Power Company, which later became part of the Central Electricity Generating Board and then National Grid plc, with the help of British Energy and EDF Energy. Over the years, the power station underwent several upgrades and expansions, including the addition of new turbines and generators, designed by companies like General Electric and Siemens, to increase its generating capacity and meet the growing energy demands of the city, including Olympic Stadium and Wembley Stadium.

● Architecture

The power station's design was influenced by the Art Deco style, with a striking chimney and a large turbine hall, designed by architects like Giles Gilbert Scott and Herbert Rowse, who also worked on the Battersea Power Station and Liverpool Cathedral. The building's exterior was clad in brick and stone, with a clock tower and a entrance hall featuring a large staircase and murals, created by artists like Duncan Grant and Wyndham Lewis, who were associated with the Bloomsbury Group and Vorticist movement. The power station's design was also influenced by the work of other notable architects, such as Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius, who were associated with the Bauhaus movement and International Style.

● Operations

The power station was initially fueled by coal, but later converted to oil-fired and then gas-fired operation, with the help of companies like BP and Royal Dutch Shell. The station's generating capacity was increased over the years, with the addition of new turbines and generators, designed by companies like Alstom and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, to meet the growing energy demands of the city, including London Stock Exchange and BBC Broadcasting House. The power station was also connected to the National Grid and worked in conjunction with other power stations, such as Sizewell nuclear power stations and Hinkley Point nuclear power station, to ensure a reliable supply of electricity to the region, including University of London and Imperial College London.

● Redevelopment

After the power station was decommissioned in 1981, the site was redeveloped for commercial and residential use, with the help of companies like British Land and Land Securities. The redevelopment included the construction of new office buildings, apartments, and retail space, designed by architects like Norman Foster and Richard Rogers, who also worked on the Gherkin and Lloyd's building. The site was also rebranded as Bankside, with the aim of creating a new mixed-use development that would attract businesses, residents, and visitors to the area, including Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe.

● Tate Modern

The former power station's turbine hall was converted into a museum space, which now houses the Tate Modern, one of the world's largest modern art museums, with a collection that includes works by artists like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Francis Bacon. The museum was designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron, who also worked on the Beijing National Stadium and Vitra Design Museum, and features a tank space for large-scale installations and a gallery space for temporary exhibitions, showcasing works by artists like Marina Abramovic and Gerhard Richter. The Tate Modern has become a major tourist attraction in London, attracting millions of visitors each year, including art collectors and curators from institutions like the Museum of Modern Art and Centre Pompidou. Category:Power stations in England