Hartshead Power Station

 Heyrod's Powerhouse: A History of Hartshead Station

Heyrod residents might be surprised to learn their neighborhood once housed a bustling power station. The story begins in 1916 with the purchase of a vast 26-acre plot, paving the way for what would become Hartshead Power Station. A decade later, in 1926, the station officially opened its doors under the Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley and Dukinfield Transport and Electricity Board.

Initially, the station utilized three generators to produce electricity at a frequency of 40 Hz, which differed from the national standard. However, later in 1926, Hartshead switched to the national standard of 50 Hz to ensure compatibility with the wider grid.

When entering the building

Remains of the control boxes

Upper sction control room

The station underwent a significant expansion in 1935 with the addition of three new, more powerful generators, each capable of producing 30,000 kW. This expansion continued throughout the 1940s and 50s, culminating in a total of three such generators being commissioned. The iconic concrete cooling towers, a defining feature of the station, were also constructed during this period.

Images below, were part of the block used to support the generators?

Coal, the fuel that powered this local giant, arrived via the Millbrook railway sidings on the Micklehurst Line. Built in 1932, these sidings across the Huddersfield Narrow Canal boasted an impressive capacity, holding up to 130 wagons carrying 12 tons of coal each. An ingenious conveyor belt system then took over, feeding the coal from a hopper beneath the sidings. This enclosed belt climbed high above the valley, traversing the River Tame and canal before delivering the coal to the power station at a high level.

Hartshead served as a vital source of power for over five decades. By the time it closed its doors on October 29th, 1979, the station had a generating capacity of 64 megawatts, a testament to its contribution to the area's energy needs.

The 1980s saw the demolition of most of the Hartshead Power Station structures. However, a small part of the site continues to function as an electrical substation, a lasting reminder of the area's industrial past and the role Hartshead played in powering countless homes.

The station relied on coal for power, delivered via the Millbrook railway sidings on the Micklehurst Line. Built in 1932, these sidings across the Huddersfield Narrow Canal could hold a staggering 130 wagons, each carrying 12 tons of coal. An ingenious conveyor belt system then transported the coal: feeding from a hopper beneath the sidings, it climbed high above the valley, traversing the River Tame and canal before reaching the power station at a high level.

Images below, were part of the offices...