Neptune Bank Power Station

Generating Hall and possibly boiler house adjacent. The whole structure now embedded in later buildings of TSL. The main hall now used as a warehouse. It is brick built with a corrugated sheet curtain gable at east end. The west end has a brick corbelled decorative parapet with sandstone capping. The peak of the gables is stepped to finish the roof ridge louvres and roof lights. The roof is slated. The west gable is pierced by three round-topped windows at switch gallery level (first floor). Interior retains original white tiling and signs of wall fittings. Otherwise completely stripped for reuse. First General Power Station for bulk electricity in the UK. Designed by Merz and McClellan for Walker and Wallsend Union Gas Co. Taken over by NESCO to replace Pandon Station (lighting only). Charles Merz, engineer, chose reciprocating engines rather than the new turbines, reflecting slowness of customers to accept reliability of the new technology. Within a year, plans to enlarge station and install turbines. Included a 1500kW 3-phase turbine set for public supply. Engine house survives within Thermal Syndicate Complex on Neptune Bank. Opened in 1901, designed by Charles Merz and William McLellan. Charles Merz was the son of Theodore Merz, one of the directors of NESCO, who pioneered the idea of a central power station supplying current for industry on an industrial scale. The Neptune bank Power Station took over from Pandon Dene (HER 5152). The engine house survives within the Thermal Syndicate Complex on Neptune Bank. Britain's first supplier of three phase electricity for industry. Overtaken by Carville Power Station (HER 1912) in 1903.