Battersea: The Working Years 1926-1983

By battersea
  • Site and first power station are mooted.

    Site and first power station are mooted.

  • Plans for proposal are approved by electricity commissioners

  • Construction of steelwork is started

    Construction of steelwork is started

    Construction starts despite furious opposition by public figures such as the Archbishop of Canterbury.
  • Sir Glies Gilbert Scott introduced to the project

    Sir Glies Gilbert Scott introduced to the project

    A bastion of the architectural establishment in early 20th century Britain, GILES GILBERT SCOTT (1880-1960) fused tradition with modernity by applying historic styles to industrial structures in his designs from the Battersea and Bankside power stations in London, to Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, and to the K2 telephone kiosk.
  • Period: to

    SIr Giles Gilbert Scott's design for Battersea Power Station 'A' is built

  • Exterior of Battersea Power Station 'A' is completed

    Exterior of Battersea Power Station 'A' is completed

    First half, the 'A' station, starts generating power amid praise from the media. One paper calls it "a flaming altar of modern power"; another says it will battle St Paul's cathedral as London's architectural landmark. Battersea achieves world record thermal efficiency.
  • Work begins on Battersea Power Station 'B'

    Work begins on Battersea Power Station 'B'

    Second station is opened 12 months behind schedule.

  • Electricity supply industry is nationalised

    Final 100MW set is brought into action, making it the largest brick-built structure in Europe. The station now boasts the famous four-chimney silhouette. Battersea is now the third largest power station in the country with a generating capacity of 509MW, burning 10,000 tons of coal per week and contributing almost a fifth of London's total electricity supplies.
  • Period: to

    A second, mirror-image Station 'B' is built alongside the original Station 'A'

  • Last of the four chimneys is completed

    Last of the four chimneys is completed

  • Fire at the station

    Fire at the station

    A fire breaks out at the station, causing power failures throughout London, most notably at the BBC Television Centre, which is forced to delay the scheduled launch of BBC2 until the following day at 11am.
  • Station 'A' is shut down

    Station 'A' is shut down

    Reporters start predicting Station B's closure as a power station; Michael Heseltine, the Secretary of State for the Environment, lists Battersea as a national heritage site.
  • Battersea Power Station given Grade II Listed building status

    Battersea Power Station given Grade II Listed building status

  • SAVE planning application approved

    SAVE planning application approved

  • Battersea Power Station 'B' is closed

    Battersea Power Station 'B' is closed

  • Planning brief

    Planning brief

    Wandsworth Council prepares and presents the planning brief for Battersea Power Station's 'A' and 'B'