ONE of the steam turbines at La Collette power station is being shut down – and three generations of the same family came to say goodbye to it.
Derek Vivian, his son Mark, and Mark’s son Maxim visited the generating hall to see Turbine 7 before it is decommissioned, after providing electricity to Islanders for almost half a century.
Derek helped to install Turbine 7 in the 1970s and retired 16 years ago after 40 years’ service with Jersey Electricity. His son Mark is JE’s assets manager, while grandson Maxim is now a JE engineer.
Derek said: “I have memories of bringing Mark in to work as a child – health and safety was completely different in the 1970s – so it was very special to come back in, now he’s assets manager and Maxim is embarking on an engineering career with JE.”
He added: “It’s a bittersweet moment, knowing that the turbine is going to be decommissioned. But we rely on cleaner imported energy now.”
Mark said: “Before Turbine 7 is decommissioned, dad was keen to see it before the demolition works begin.
“It was a special moment to see dad in the generating hall, sharing his knowledge about his work with me and Maxim, particularly just before Maxim helps to dismantle a significant turbine that dad built 50 years ago. It’s something I never thought I’d see.
“Dad certainly inspired me and Maxim to follow in his engineering footsteps.”
