Traditional power station

Traditional power stations have operational requirements that determine where they can be located. They need a source of cooling as well as a constant fuel supply. These criteria often result in power stations being located a long way from the customers that they supply, connected by transmission and distribution networks capable of delivering electricity across the country.

The use of traditional power stations represents an efficient approach to meeting electricity requirements. Losses are generally greater when voltage is lower, so when electricity is generated at a high voltage and transmitted at an even higher one, as it is by a traditional power station, losses are kept relatively low.

The main issue with traditional generation is to do with the fuel that is burnt to power the generator’s turbine. If it’s a fossil fuel, such as oil or gas, carbon dioxide (CO₂) is released. This additional CO₂ contributes to global air pollution.