The Hinton Cup

The Hinton Cup, awarded annually by the Central Electricity Generating Board to the power station judged to have ‘reached the highest attainment in economy and efficiency of operation and maintenance, with particular reference to attractiveness and good housekeeping’, 1959-1989.

The Hinton Cup was named for Sir Christopher Hinton, first Chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB), and was eventually awarded to all of the CEGB’s electricity generating stations, including what were referred to as 'Hinton's Heavies' - the very large plants employing standard-sized 500 (and later 660) Megawatt (MW) generating units responsible for keeping Britain's lights on for over fifty years until the last one ceased operation in 2024. West Burton 'A' was the last site awarded the Hinton Cup, and after privatisation of the CEGB it remained on the site.

An impressive object in its own right, it also comes with a small shield bearing the names of each station it was awarded to. This roll of honour is a reminder of the sheer size of the CEGB's endeavour, which with the closure of the final plant, Ratcliffe, has now passed into history.