Ballylumford power station

Ballylumford Power Station
The two power stations as viewed from the Whiteabbey to Larne Railway Line.
Country	Northern Ireland, UK
Coordinates	54°50′42″N 5°47′13″W / 54.845°N 5.787°W / 54.845; -5.787Coordinates: 54°50′42″N 5°47′13″W / 54.845°N 5.787°W / 54.845; -5.787
Commission date	1943
Operator(s)	The AES Corporation
Thermal power station
Primary fuel	Natural gas-fired
Website www.aes.com
Irish grid reference: D4201

Ballylumford power station is a natural-gas-fired power station in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK. With its main plant generating 600 megawatts of electricity, it is Northern Ireland's largest power station and provides half of the province's power. Overall the station produces 1316MW. The plant is located at the tip of the Islandmagee peninsula, which separates Larne Lough from the Irish Sea. The lough is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The 3 chimneys of the power station are 126 metres tall. East of the station is the static inverter plant of HVDC Moyle, a power cable connecting the system to Great Britain.

The first power station built at the site was started in 1943. The "A" station was powered by coal and operated until 1974, when the "B" station was completed.

The station was a key factor in the 1974 Ulster Workers' Council strike. Supplying all of Belfast and most of the eastern half of the country, Northern Ireland was effectively brought to a standstill when the mainly Protestant workers of the plant were persuaded to join the strike. The closure of the plant together with the wider strike resulted in the collapse of the Sunningdale Agreement.

In 1991 the nationalised power company, Northern Ireland Electricity, was incorporated as a government owned public limited company. In 1992 the four power stations at Belfast Harbour, Ballylumford, Derry (Coolkeeragh) and Carrickfergus (Kilroot) were demerged and sold. In 1993 the remainder of NIE (transmission, supply and retail businesses) was privatised as Northern Ireland Electricity plc.