The Orkney Image Library
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Anyone touching 40 or older may well remember the unlovely structure of Orkney's first power station, which stood for decades after the 'new' power station started up, I presume as a Hydro store. It stood where the car park across the road from the library is now, directly adjacent to the Kirkwall gasworks. It always struck me as a bit dicey having a plant that undoubtedly generated sparks just the width of a lane away from a gasworks.
I'll have a look to see if there are any pictures of the 'new' power station.
Picture added on 02 April 2004
Was there an earlier power station in Laing Street?
Added by Karl Cooper on 19 October 2006
Well Karl, I somehow doubt that there could have been an earlier "power station" in Kirkwall, unless it was in the form of a private generator.
Prior to the Kirkwall Electric Power Station, the streets and houses were lit by gas.I can remember even in the late 1940's that some houses in Kirkwall were still lit by gas.
Recommend to you to look at Pictures 144 and 145 for other info.on this subject.I believe the name of the manager of K.E.P.S. was a Mr Roy, in the early years.
Prior to the Kirkwall Electric Power Station, the streets and houses were lit by gas.I can remember even in the late 1940's that some houses in Kirkwall were still lit by gas.
Recommend to you to look at Pictures 144 and 145 for other info.on this subject.I believe the name of the manager of K.E.P.S. was a Mr Roy, in the early years.
Added by Peter Burges on 20 October 2006
As electric power only came to Kirkwall in 1923 then I think this picture belongs to that year.
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Added by David Partner on 22 April 2015
Kirkwall
