Battersea Power Station shows just how much Switchgear has changed

The Battersea Power Station redevelopment has opened its doors to the public this month, after more than eight years in the making and £9 billion investment for the whole site.

At its peak, the station produced a fifth of London’s electricity, until the power was switched off in 1983. It used to burn through 230 tonnes of coal an hour.

The building is now home to shops, restaurants and bars, as well as around 250 homes and thousands of square feet of office space. Original switchgear machinery from the early 1940s remains throughout.

Situated on its own private mezzanine floor and overlooking one of the two giant Turbine Halls, Control Room B displays the original dials, control desks and switchgear racks that have been restored to their former glory.