The History of Wangi Power Station: A Look Through Time
Over the years of running Lost Collective, I’ve received all kinds of messages—some good, some bad. But one of the most rewarding things is when people reach out to share their personal connections to the places I photograph. Not long after I shared the original Wangi Power Station gallery, a former worker named Cliff generously shared a collection of incredible photographs he took in the late 70s and early 80s while the station was still operational.
Alongside Cliff’s images, this collection also features historical photographs from the Sam Hood Collection at the State Library of NSW, as well as other images that have been shared with me over the years by people with their own personal ties to the station.
Wangi Power Station is a relic of mid-century engineering, a structure that once played a vital role in powering New South Wales. Built at a time when industrial ambition shaped the landscape, the station stood as a symbol of innovation, resilience, and the constant demand for electricity. These historical photographs offer a rare window into a time when Wangi was alive with activity, from its early construction to its heyday as a working power station.
If you have any photos of Wangi Power Station from before its closure, I’d love to see them—please get in touch.
Building an Industrial Giant
Wangi Power Station was among the largest power stations built in New South Wales at the time. Its construction marked a significant leap in the state’s electricity generation capacity. The images below capture its early stages, from steel framework to the switchyard that would become an essential hub for power distribution.
Wangi Power Station under construction, with its steel framework taking shape. The towering chimney and cranes in the background highlight the scale of the project, which would become a key part of New South Wales’ electricity infrastructure.
📸 Photo by Sam Hood, 1955. Courtesy of the State Library of NSW.
This aerial photograph captures Wangi Power Station during its construction, showcasing the immense scale of the project. The skeletal steel framework of the structure is still being assembled, with construction materials and temporary buildings scattered around the site. The iconic chimney is already in place, towering over the rapidly developing station. To the left, large storage sheds and worker facilities line the site, highlighting the extensive workforce required for a project of this magnitude. This image offers a glimpse into the sheer scale and complexity of building a power station in the mid-20th century.
The skeletal framework of Wangi Power Station during construction, showing the massive steel and concrete structure taking shape. This corridor-like view highlights the station’s industrial scale and engineering precision, long before the turbines and generators were installed.
Fueling the Station: Coal Supply and Processing
Coal was the lifeblood of Wangi Power Station. The facility required a steady supply to keep its boilers running, generating the steam needed to produce electricity. Below are glimpses into the scale of coal processing and storage that sustained Wangi’s operations.
A view from within the coal plant at Wangi Power Station, looking towards the B Station lift tower. In the foreground, coal piles can be seen where bulldozers pushed the fuel into conveyors. To the far left, the main store is visible.
Trial feeding system for slurry coal at B Station, with the coal plant visible in the background. The hopper fed coal down to a ball mill, where it was ground before being washed and processed through a centrifuge.
A view from the B Station roof, looking over the main coal feeding conveyor extending from the coal plant. Coal deliveries arrived by both truck and rail, with transfer towers—visible in the middle of the frame—connecting multiple conveyor systems to transport coal efficiently across the site.
Inside Wangi Power Station: The Heart of Energy Production
The powerhouse of Wangi was a marvel of mid-century engineering. Steam turbines, high-pressure boilers, and an intricate cooling system worked in harmony to supply electricity to homes and industries across NSW.
A steam-driven feed pump turbine at Wangi Power Station, responsible for pumping feedwater through the boiler. Rather than using electricity, this pump was powered by steam bled from the main turbine. In the background, a B Station boiler is visible; distinguished by the circular ports where pulverised fuel was fed in.
Boiler No. 2A inside Wangi Power Station, one of six massive boilers that powered the facility. Each turbine was fed by two boilers, with chain grate systems burning raw coal fed through gravimetric feeders—visible here as the rotating wheels above the chutes. Coal was flung onto the grate by rapidly rotating spreader stokers, igniting at temperatures of around 840°F. Boilers were traditionally ignited by tossing in an oil-soaked rag, hoping it would catch onto the coal. The open access hatch reveals ash buildup, while grease lines and tools used to clear jammed tracks remain in place—a glimpse into the daily operations of a bygone era.
Looking down the full length of Wangi Power Station’s turbine hall towards A Station. The hall housed six turbines. A Station’s units generating 50 MW each and B Station’s units producing 60 MW. In comparison, later power stations like Liddell (500 MW), Bayswater (660 MW), and Eraring (660 MW) dwarfed Wangi’s capacity. On the left, an operator or supervisor in uniform inspects a turbine control panel, while other workers in overalls manage operations.
The Turbines of Wangi Power Station
At the heart of Wangi Power Station were its powerful steam turbines, responsible for converting thermal energy into electricity. The station housed six turbine-generator units, with "A" Station featuring 50 MW turbines and "B" Station fitted with larger 60 MW units. These were cutting-edge machines at the time, designed to handle immense pressures and temperatures, ensuring a steady supply of power to the grid.
The turbines were driven by high-pressure steam generated in the boilers. This steam passed through multiple stages of expansion, turning the massive blades at high speeds before being cooled and recycled back into the system. Operators monitored their performance from control panels, ensuring efficiency and stability in energy production.
Even decades after the station’s closure, the turbine hall remains an awe-inspiring space. The sheer scale of the machinery, combined with its intricate piping and control systems, serves as a testament to the industrial ingenuity of the era.
The hydrogen-cooled 60 MW Parsons generator, viewed from above the operating level, was a central part of the power station. This is turbine number 6, sitting just outside the “B” mechanical workshop, the supervisors' office, and the meal room above that. You can even see one of the supervisors in his office through the window.
A Parsons turbine inside Wangi Power Station, reflecting an era when industrial machinery was as much about craftsmanship as functionality. The blue, white, and chrome colour scheme, now rarely seen in modern plants, contrasted with the more utilitarian orange of later designs. The intricate valving was part of the turbine’s control system, while asbestos lagging insulated the surrounding pipework. At the 9 o’clock position on the turbine governor, a speed indicator remains in place; a crucial component for regulating power generation.
The high-pressure end of No. 6 turbine at Wangi Power Station, a crucial component of power generation. A couple of operators can be seen just out of frame to the left, overseeing operations. The intricate network of piping and machinery highlights the complexity of turbine-driven electricity production.
A view over No. 6 turbine and the B Station mechanical workshop at Wangi Power Station. The supervisor’s office overlooks the turbine hall, with Tom Wilson and Neil Hall visible inside. Behind it lies the workshop. The stairway leads up to the meal room—a spot where workers gathered, including during the historic moment Australia won the America’s Cup in 1984. The turbine is divided into high-pressure, intermediate, and low-pressure stages, along with the generator. It’s unlikely an office would ever be placed this close to a generator today, given its 30,000 RPM operation.
The Cooling Water System: The Lifeline of Wangi
Wangi Power Station depended on an extensive cooling water system to regulate the heat produced during power generation. Sourced from Lake Macquarie, the water played a crucial role in condensing spent steam from the turbines, allowing it to be reused in the cycle.
The process began at the intake system, where large drum screens filtered debris and aquatic life before pumping the water through the condensers. Once it had cooled the steam, the warmed water was discharged back into the lake via an outlet canal. This cycle was essential to keeping the station’s operations stable and efficient.
Now, decades after Wangi ceased operations, the cooling system is gone. The intake structures, pumps, and infrastructure that once sustained the station have been dismantled. What remains is the outlet canal, a visible remnant of a once-critical process that kept Wangi’s turbines running and homes powered across New South Wales.
The B Station intake screens at Wangi Power Station, responsible for drawing water from Lake Macquarie. These rotating drum screens filtered out debris, including fish, before the water was pumped into the condenser system. Steam from the turbines was cooled here, returning it to water so it could be reused in the power generation cycle.
The outlet canal at Wangi Power Station, carrying warmed water away from the plant. In the distance, the roadway at the far end of the canal is visible.
The A Station screen at Wangi Power Station, responsible for filtering water. A series of buckets, driven by a chain mechanism, carried material up an incline. The cast iron rollers used in this system were known for their durability and were often repurposed for making engine piston rings.
The Industrial Hub of Wangi
Wangi Power Station was more than just a power-generating facility—it was an entire industrial hub built to support the growing energy demands of New South Wales. Beyond the massive turbines and coal-fired boilers, the site housed administrative offices, workshops, and infrastructure that kept the station running efficiently.
Its distinct red-brick architecture and strategic location near Lake Macquarie made it a landmark in the region. The station’s connection to the surrounding landscape was both practical and symbolic, as the lake provided essential cooling water for the plant while also forming part of the backdrop for daily life in the area.
For decades, Wangi stood as a towering reminder of mid-century engineering and industrial progress. Workers, engineers, and locals alike passed by its imposing structures, witnessing the role it played in keeping homes and industries powered. Though it now remains silent, its presence continues to spark curiosity and memories of an era when coal-fired power was the backbone of the state’s electricity network.
The main administration building of Wangi Power Station. The main entrance is visible in the bottom left, with the apprentice workshop located on the ground floor to the left. Around the corner was the nurses’ office. The first floor housed the electrical workshop, while the canteen was located above it. The executive offices occupied the top floor, and the car park was situated behind the building.
A view from the roof of Wangi Power Station, looking over the switchyard towards Lake Macquarie. This shot, taken from the B Station end, captures the outlet canal and the town of Wangi beyond the power station. In the foreground, the main car park is visible, along with the domed building that housed the apprentice workshop. Originally, apprentice training took place inside the power station in a workshop off the main workshop, but this dedicated facility was later introduced to support hands-on learning.
A fleeting moment in time. Wangi Power Station standing tall in the background, a classic Mini cruising past in the foreground. This image captures more than just infrastructure; it’s a snapshot of an era. The A Station looms over the scene, its towering chimney a reminder of the station’s role in powering New South Wales. Just beyond the car park once sat the tennis courts, where workers could take a break from the hum of the turbines.
Wangi Power Station’s Legacy
Today, Wangi Power Station stands silent, its machinery long dormant, its turbines at rest. Once a thriving center of industry, the station now serves as a reminder of an era when coal-fired power was the backbone of Australia’s energy supply. While its future remains uncertain, its history is preserved in photographs, memories, and the stories of those who worked within its walls.
If you have memories or photographs of Wangi Power Station, feel free to share them. Every story adds another piece to the history of this once-thriving industrial landmark.
Explore more images from this industrial relic in the Wangi Power Station Collection.
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