THE SOUTHERN POWER STATION Mining, transporting and milling each ton of ore requires more electricity than an average radiator would consume in 24 hours.  A considerable amount of compressed air is also required for mining and developmental work, and consequently when expansion of mining operations is being contemplated (for example for the expansion of the Zinc Corporation and the development of N.B.H.C.) , it is necessary to make ample provision for increased electric power and compressed air supplies. For this purpose large extensions are being made at the Central Power Station of the Western N.S.W. Power PTY. L.T.D. (CPS.) and in addition the Southern  Power Station is being built south of N.B.H.C. by the Southern Power Corporation PTY. L.T.D.  The latter station layout will allow for considerable expansion in the future should the demands of the southern end of the mining field increase.                                              CONSTRUCTION  PROGRAMME Preliminary design of the station was undertaken in September 1948; excavation of the foundations was commenced in February , 1949; the first engine was received in Broken Hill during December of that year and erection commenced the following January .  This engine was completed and tested, and placed in service on July 10th, 1950. The rest of the engines have now been completed inside temporary end walls.  The permanent walls of the building will be completed early in 1951 when the three motor driven compressors will be received and erected.                                                SIZE OF POWER STATION The initial installation will consist of four 2370 K.W.  diesel  -  engine – driven electric generating sets (the continuous site rating of each engine being 3345 H. P. under the temperature conditions prevailing at Broken Hill and three 4140 c. f. m.  electric motor driven air compressors (the continuous rating of each motor being 775 H. P. ).  The overall size of the building to accommodate these is 243 feet long by 108 feet wide.  There will be space in this building for a total of six generating sets and four air compressors, and if it should be found necessary, the building could be extended at each end to provide for additional sets.                                         SOUTHERN POWER CORPORATION 1953                                                     SOUTHERN STATION The Southern Power Corporation’s Southern Station, being intended to supply the Electric and Air Power required by the Zinc Corporation Limited, and New Broken Hill Consolidated above the fix quotas available by agreement from Western New South Wales Power Pty. Ltd.,  has been designed to have an installed capacity of:- 11,500 K.W. of Electricity Power for delivery at 6.9 Kv. 12,000c.f.m. of compressed air at 90 lbs. Per square inch. Pressure. The plant required is:- Five Diesel Driven Alternators, each having an output of 2,300 k.W. Three Motorised Reciprocating Compressors, Each of 4,00 c.f.m. capacity at 90 lbs per square inch pressure. Of this equipment , the five alternators, and two Air compressors had been installed by the end of 1952.   Thus, by the end of 1953, the Southern Station was fully equipped to perform the function required of it. The year 1954 will see increased demands on Southern Power when the N.B.H.C. Service Shaft comes into action, and the men of Southern Power will be ready to meet them.  With the introduction of the Grid System supplying power to Broken Hill from Red Cliffs the Southern  Power Station became redundant and is now used as a backup suppy for the mine.

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