Tir John Power Station
Also referred to as Tir John North Power Station
After some searching for a site for a new power station, the Tir John site near Swansea docks was selected. It was relatively cheap, allowed ample room for extensions, had abundant supplies of cooling water, and had immediate access to sea, road, and rail.
1931 Erection of the initial section of 60,000 kW. began.
As originally constructed, the appearance of the station was characterised by two short steel chimneys.
Engineers were Braithwaite and Co Engineers Ltd of Horseferry Road, London
Provision was made for a further 60,000 kW. set in the same building.
The station initially burned anthracite duff (waste from the washing of mined coal at the colliery). Condenser cooling water was drawn from the nearby King's Dock and returned to the larger Queen's Dock in two large concrete-lined tunnels, each about 1km long, cut through solid rock at depths of up to 90m. [1]
Taking advantage of the huge Llandarcy oil refinery (nprn 91695) nearby, the power station was converted to run on oil in 1967 but rising oil prices in the 1970s led to its closure just nine years later.
1967 Converted to oil burning, taking advantage of the proximity of Llandarcy oil refinery.
1976 Closed due to the high cost of fuel oil.