Petty Harbour Generating Station
The Petty Harbour Hydro Electric Generating Station is a hydroelectric generating station in Petty Harbour–Maddox Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador. It was constructed in 1898 and it was the first hydroelectric generating station in Newfoundland. It was built by the St. John's Street Railway Company, a company established by Robert Reid. Operation commenced on 19 April 1900.
In 1920 Reid renamed the company the St. John's Light and Power Company. On 7 February 1921, an avalanche destroyed of the wooden penstock that carried water from the dam to the generating station, cutting off all electrical power to St. John's for almost five days. Then, in 1924, St. John's Street Railway Company was bought by Newfoundland Light and Power Company Ltd therefore changing ownership of the dam.
On 1 May 1978, the plant was entered in the Canadian Engineering Heritage Record as a model reflecting progressive adaptation to emerging technology, and as of 2012, it remains as one of the few plants of its type still in active service.
Technical Information
Equipment
Source:Turbines
Unit 2:
Originally installed in 1900Victor type : 1.4 MW, Manufactured by Stillwell, Bierce & Smith Vaille Co.
Replaced in 1908 with: Horizontal Francis, 1.57 MW, Manufactured by Voith
Unit 1
Originally installed in 1902Inward-flow Girard type :1.4 MW, Manufactured by Stillwell, Bierce & Smith Vaille Co.
Replaced in 1912 with:
Horizontal Francis: 1.57 MW, Manufactured by Voith
Unit 3
Installed 1926Horizontal Francis: 2.05 MW, Manufactured by Armstrong Whitworth
Generators
Unit 2
Installed in 1900: 3-phase: 60 Hertz, 550 voltsManufactured by Westinghouse
Replaced in 1926 with: 3-phase, 60 Hertz, 2,300 volts
Manufactured by General Electric
Unit 1
Installed in 1902: 3-phase, 60 Hertz, 550 voltsManufactured by Westinghouse
Rewound in 1926 to 2,300 volts
Unit 3
Installed in 1926: 3-phase, 60 Hertz, 2,300 voltsManufactured by General Electric
Construction
Powerhouse
48.8 metres long by 7.3 metres wide by 4.9 metres high Masonry constructionPenstock
Original:1,057 metres long, 2.4-meter by 2.4-meter cross-section wooden flume
112.2 metres long, 2.4-meter by 2.4-meter cross-section rock tunnel
115.2 metres long, 2-meter-diameter steel penstock
Replacements:
1926: 975-metre-long, 2.3-meter-diameter wood stave penstock
1953: Steel penstock replaced with 2.3-metre-diameter steel pipe
1999: Lower 740.7 metres of penstock replaced with 2.3-metre-diameter steel pipe
2021: Remainder of penstock replaced with 2.3-metre-diameter steel pipe
Intake Structure:
Concrete with steel gate and lift