Power Stations

Electricity is produced in power stations by burning fossil fuels such as oil or coal to produce heat. This heat is used to turn water into steam in a boiler. Steam travels along pipes to a turbine were it hits the blades to makes them spin. By spinning the turbine it drives the generator in the power station and electricity is produced.

Pylons

Pylons carry electricity from power stations to your home and school.

Electricity travels from the power station on overhead lines, which are kept above the ground by large metal structures, called pylons. These overhead lines can be live at up to 275,000 volts.

Some people think the pylons look like climbing frames but they are extremely dangerous to climb. NIE places barbed wire around the base of every pylon and displays a yellow 'Danger of Death' sign to remind people their life is in danger if they try to climb the pylon. You could also fall and hurt yourself so stay away from electricity pylons.