Welcome to CCR Energy's Advent Calendar!
This month, we’re sharing images that honour Aberthaw Power Station and its heritage as we prepare it for a new low-carbon future.
Day 1
To open our Advent Calendar we take a look back at Aberthaw Power Station – a site that played a significant role in Wales’ energy story.
Day 2
For day 2 of the Aberthaw Advent we wanted to showcase how Aberthaw’s design reflects the ambition and innovation of the era that built it. A reminder of the engineering excellence that powered communities for decades.
This photo showcases one of the high voltage transformers that were in Aberthaw Power Station. These were used to modify the voltage of current electricity to increase it or decrease it. High voltage transformers play an essential part in the distribution and transmission of electricity by minimising energy loss, ensuring grid stability and supporting industrial operations.
Day 3
From dials to control panels, every detail of Aberthaw was shaped by skilled hands. We recognise the expertise that defined the station throughout its lifetime.
This is the original boiler control desk at Aberthaw Power Station, which was later replaced by an Advanced Plant Management System (APMS).
Day 4
The bold shapes and strong lines of Aberthaw’s structures hold a unique aesthetic. A different way of appreciating the engineering that once powered the nation.
This image showcases a gas turbine stack that was re-built around the 2010s.
Day 5
Behind every system and shift were dedicated teams who kept Aberthaw running safely and reliably. We honour their contribution to Wales’ energy resilience.
ACE2 (Aberthaw Centre for Energy and Environment) was opened in 2011 as a visitor centre for the now decommissioned power station.
Day 6
In black and white, we’re reminded of the textures, craft and character embedded in this place. A snapshot of a site with many stories to tell.
Day 7
Visible for miles along the South Wales coast, Aberthaw became a familiar landmark. A structure that helped define the landscape for generations.
Day 8
Black and white photography invites us to pause and see Aberthaw from a new perspective. A quiet moment to appreciate its unique form.
Day 9
Day and night, Aberthaw was a centre of constant movement and teamwork. A glimpse into a site that once operated around the clock.
The now decommissioned power station used steam turbines for power generation. The photo to the left is of a low-pressure steam turbine, the last turbine in the power generation process. Low-pressure steam turbines were used to ensure residual enegy recovery.
Day 10
Aberthaw forms an important chapter in Wales’ wider industrial story. We’re proud to recognise its place in the nation’s history.
Turbine oil systems like this one were used to ensure steam turbines were lubricated to minimise friction while producing energy.
Day 11
Machinery designed for scale, reliability and endurance. A testament to the engineering challenges of its time.
Dynamic classifiers were used at the power station to separate coarse from fine coal paticles. This improved efficiency by reducing the level of unburned carbon in the energy generating process.
Day 12
Aberthaw provided energy through a period of immense economic and social change. A reminder of how the energy landscape continues to evolve.
Before the power station was decommissioned, hydrogen was used to cool down the generator. This photo shows a hydrogen dryer access to the different components of the system for maintenance.
Day 13
Concrete, steel, and carefully crafted components – each with its own story. Capturing the character that defined the site.
Bolts like these were used to hold down the casing of the different steam turbines used at the former Aberthaw power station.
Day 14
For many, Aberthaw was part of daily life: a familiar sight from road, rail, and coastline. A place woven into the identity of the region.
This photo shows the stock ground of the former power station, and gives a general view of the coal conveyors used to transport coal to and from the power station.
Day 15
Many people have personal links to Aberthaw – through work, family or memory. We honour those connections with respect and appreciation.
Day 16
Pipes, conduits and frameworks – the unseen systems that kept everything moving. An intricate network designed with precision.
Day 17
Shadows and structure reveal the scale of the station’s interiors. A glimpse into the spaces that once housed immense industrial power.
Day 18
Generations of specialists built their careers at Aberthaw. We recognise the knowledge and skill that defined the site.
Day 19
Aberthaw stood at the meeting point of land, sea and sky. A distinctive backdrop that shaped how many remember the site.
Day 20
As the energy sector continues to change, so do the places that once powered it. Aberthaw is now moving into a new phase shaped by future opportunity.
Day 21
We’re carefully documenting the site to ensure its history and significance are not forgotten. A respectful step as transformation continues.
Day 22
Change on site is about renewal, not removal. We’re creating space for new possibilities while honouring what came before.
Day 23
Our approach at Aberthaw is guided by respect for those who worked here – and those who live nearby. People remain at the heart of every decision we make.
Day 24
On Christmas Eve, we take a moment to acknowledge Aberthaw’s contribution to Wales’ energy journey. A site that served with purpose for many years.
Day 25
This Christmas Day, we recognise Aberthaw’s legacy while focusing on its future. As CCR Energy reimagines the site for the next generation, we remain committed to meaningful, sustainable and community-minded transformation.
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