| << Previous | Index | Next >> | ||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
West Thurock goes on Gas.
The picture above show's Peter Beak adjusting the flow of fuel on the newly - installed equipment which converted the oil burners on No 5 boiler so they could use natural gas to provide power for electricity - that was the next major operating change at West Thurrock in a move to take advantage of North Sea Natural gas
The Boilers are Converted.
The station's boilers were converted to burn either gas or coal during the last six months of 1971. The boiler conversion was the biggest conversion project that the C.E.G.B had ever undertaken at the time, It enabled West Thurrock Power station to burn coal, natural gas or fuels at the same time.
The Contract was Signed.
A contract signed between the C.E.G.B and the Gas Council was for the Station to take up to 750m. therms a year, enough to make West Thurrock one of the largest bulk customers of the Gas Council.
The contract was based on an interruptable basis, which meant the gas Council could cut supply at any time and for any period if the need arose.
However electricity consumers were reassured at the time that the conversion would certainly not affect supply.
West Thurrock had the options
If gas supplies were in doubt, the units would switch to coal.
Although the majority of the Natural gas was from the North Sea fields, some was imported from Algeria.
It came in liquid form to Canvey Island where it was converted to gas and piped into the station through a 36inch main from the Gas Council Grid
Picture and story reproduced from discontinued West Thurrock New's
Photo album created with Web Album Generator