Site Records

Nant Power Station - Access Tunnel

The access tunnel is 961ft long, 17ft wide, 15ft high. It runs straight for most of its length until it bends sharply on the final approach to the machine hall. In common with most such tunnels, it is unlined except at the portals. A rare sight: the lights are on, the gate is open, and someone is at home!

Looking down from the portal, the lights recede into the distance

Looking back up the access tunnel from the bend, daylight visible:

On the right-hand side of the tunnel, at the start of the bend, a gated adit slopes down. This gives access to the tailrace and draft tubes, see this page for details:

Around the bend, the tunnel approaches the brightly-lit machine hall:

On the final approach to the machine hall, a couple of chambers have been excavated on the right - switchroom, battery room, office/mess, and lavatory:

Words and images © 2003 Michael J. Ross