OPG to refurbish historical Niagara hydropower plants

• 16 days ago (2024-04-17)
• David Flin

Hydropower 112 North America 998

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Ontario Power Generation (OPG) of Canada has announced plans to refurbish its hydropower stations in Niagara, including the Sir Adam Beck complex at Niagara Falls.

The programme is valued at $1 billion, and will help meet rising demand. OPG will work with GE Vernova on the refurbishment. OPG and GE Vernova will refurbish 25 units in total at the Sir Adam Beck Complex, initially opened in 1922, as the first phase of this work beginning in 2025, increasing the station’s capacity by 50 MW.

OPG is also developing plans to refurbish the De Cew Falls I and De Cew Falls II plants, built in 1898, and the first hydropower plants in Canada.

Todd Smith, Ontario’s Minister of Energy, said: “For more than 100 years, hydroelectric power from Niagara Falls has powered our province and with this investment, we’re extending the life of these stations by another 30 years. This refurbishment programme – part of our Powering Ontario Growth Plan – will create jobs and ensure we have the power we need for the next major international investment, the new homes we are building and industries as they grow and electrify.”