Kirkwall’s first power station

The first power station for public supply in Orkney was established in 1923, marking a significant development in the town’s infrastructure. Before this, businesses and homes were primarily lit by gas. The introduction of electric power transformed the energy landscape in Kirkwall, allowing for more efficient and reliable lighting and power supply.

The generators and building were bought second-hand for £2,250, having been originally used at the Houton Flying Boat station in Orphir. The three 65HP motors each ran 40kW generators at 440V DC in a three-wire system which was switched on in February 1924. It was upgraded several times and became the hub from which electrical supplies spread across the county. It was superseded by the present power station in 1951, having served Orkney for nearly three decades.

The site is now a municipal car park and few people realise that the reason the site is higher than the road is because the car park was built on top of the concrete foundations that bore the weight of the generators. It was easier to raise the car park than remove the foundations. The site is still electrically important as it now houses an LV transformer hidden behind the wall upon which the plaque is mounted.

The establishment of the first power station in Kirkwall was a pivotal moment in the region’s energy history, laying the groundwork for the modern electricity grid that would develop in the following decades.