It was Hongkong Electric's first power station. It was closed by 1922, as described in their 1985 booklet "A Pictorial History of Hongkong Electric":
Not long after [the new power station at North Point began operation], Wanchai became a reserve station, and by 1922 it had been closed down and dismantled. The only evidence left of Hong Kong's first power station is a street sign on the site, ELECTRIC STREET.
1890 - First Illumination. The district in which the Hong Kong Electric Company have set up their wires was last night illuminated by the arc lights, the contract of the Company commencing on 1 December. HK Daily Press 2 December 1890 refers.
1919 - Owing to demand, the electricity supply from Wanchai was augmented by a partial supply from North Point. HK Telegaph 31 December 1919 refers.
1922 - 86% of the electricity output was generated at North Point whilst the remainder was from the old power station at Wanchai. HK Telegraph 22 April 1922 refers
1922 - Mention is made at the AGM in 1923 that the old power station at Wanchai had shut down during the year (1922). HK Telegraph 21 April 1923 refers
1923 - Hong Kong Electric Co. sold its old power station at Wing Fung Street, Wanchai for $700,000. The purchaser is understood to be a Chinese contractor and it is thought that Chinese tenement houses will be built on the property. China Mail 17 April 1923 refers.
Comments
re: Wanchai power station
Hi, dates should be 1889 to 1922 according to Swire's Star Street website
http://www.starstreet.com.hk/the-cultural-precinct/
the 1889 decomissioning date
the 1889 decomissioning date was from Wikipedia. But ...
"A mountain of light: the story of the Hongkong Electric Company" - 1977
says
"Site purchased 1888; in operation 1890-1922, subsequently dismantled"
No actual "decomissioning" date found yet, though. So 1922, it is.
This power station is shown
This power station is shown on the 1909 map of the area, marked "Electric Light Works".
It was Hongkong Electric's first power station. It was closed by 1922, as described in their 1985 booklet "A Pictorial History of Hongkong Electric":
Not long after [the new power station at North Point began operation], Wanchai became a reserve station, and by 1922 it had been closed down and dismantled. The only evidence left of Hong Kong's first power station is a street sign on the site, ELECTRIC STREET.
Hong Kong Electric - Wanchai Power Station Timeline
1890 - First Illumination. The district in which the Hong Kong Electric Company have set up their wires was last night illuminated by the arc lights, the contract of the Company commencing on 1 December. HK Daily Press 2 December 1890 refers.
1919 - Owing to demand, the electricity supply from Wanchai was augmented by a partial supply from North Point. HK Telegaph 31 December 1919 refers.
1922 - 86% of the electricity output was generated at North Point whilst the remainder was from the old power station at Wanchai. HK Telegraph 22 April 1922 refers
1922 - Mention is made at the AGM in 1923 that the old power station at Wanchai had shut down during the year (1922). HK Telegraph 21 April 1923 refers
1923 - Hong Kong Electric Co. sold its old power station at Wing Fung Street, Wanchai for $700,000. The purchaser is understood to be a Chinese contractor and it is thought that Chinese tenement houses will be built on the property. China Mail 17 April 1923 refers.
1910 Hong Kong Electric Wanchai Power Station Building Update
A 1910 update of completion of building works at Wanchai Power Station can be read here Scroll to Page 16