In 1939, 274 consumers in Charters Towers were supplied electricity by the North Australian Woollen Worsted Mills (Charters Towers) Ltd.
The plant included:
One 100-kw Bellis and Morcom steam engine direct-coupled to a Lancashire alternator;
One 484-h.p. National heavy-oil engine direct-coupled to an alternator;
One 335-h.p. National heavy-oil engine direct-coupled to a 300-kva Brush alternator;
One 75-h.p. Fairbanks Morse heavy-oil engine direct-coupled to a 60-kva G.E. alternator;
One 35-h.p. Fairbanks Morse heavy-oil engine direct-coupled to a 30-kva alternator.
The distribution system – primary, 2,200 volts; secondary, 415/240 volts, 50 cycle, three-phase a.c.
(Source: Tait’s Electrical Directory, 1939-1940, p.179. QEM Archive)
The 75-h.p. Fairbanks Morse generating set was still in Charters Towers at the Ergon Energy site in August 2004 when the Director visited the site.
Mr. John Fordham wrote an article on the Charters Towers Power Station for The Olde Machinery Mart in August 1990. On the cover of the magazine was a photograph of the generating set. Mr. Fordham collected some information about the Charters Towers Power Station from Mr. G. Matthews of Townsville, who was a former Maintenance Superintendent at the Power Station. The two Fairbanks Morse engines ‘were originally installed at Cambelltown for the NSW railways. They were installed at Charters Towers in 1931 by a Mr. Glover for the North Australian Woollen and Worsted Mills…’
Mr. Fordham also offered the following brief history of Charters Towers electricity supply:
1897 – Electricity generation commenced, Charters Towers Electricity Supply Co.
1910 – Electricity undertaking by the Charters Towers Gas, Coke, Coal and Light Co.
1920 – Electricity generation ceased.
1931 – North Australian Woollen and Worsted Mills (Charters Towers) Ltd. Commenced electricity generation.
1956 – Electricity undertaking transferred to Townsville Regional Electricity Board.
1977 – Townsville Regional Electricity Board became North Queensland Electricity Board.
