Some considerations concerning the siting of power stations

Abstract

In recent years the siting of electricity generating stations has tended to be increasingly affected by non-technical considerations such as legal requirements, amenities and so on. These considerations become of special importance when a particular scheme is submitted to a Public Inquiry by the Electricity Commissioners under Section II of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1919.The object of this paper is to place on record some considerations which may therefore have to be borne in mind when siting power stations in this country, and at the same time to refer to some factors which have a bearing on power station construction irrespective of location.The paper is not intended to be an exhaustive treatise on the various subjects appertaining to the siting of power stations, but rather to act as a guide to undertakers who are contemplating such action.The paper may be divided into two main parts, the first dealing with considerations arising out of parliamentary legislation, and the second with more technical and practical problems.Reference is made in the first part of the paper to the following items:—(1.1) Town and Country Planning Act, 1932.(1.2) Coal Act, 1938.(1.3) Coal Mines Act, 1930.(1.4) Other statutory requirements.The second part deals with:—(2.1) Chimney emissions.(2.2) Sewage effluent for circulating water.(2.3) Amenities.(2.4) Alternative sites.