Petty Harbour Generating Station
Encyclopedia
The Petty Harbour Hydro Electric Generating Station which began construction in 1898 was the first hydroelectric generating station in Newfoundland and Labrador
. It was built by the St. John's Street Railway Company
, a company established by Robert Reid
. Operation commenced on April 19, 1900.
In 1920 Reid renamed the company the St. John's Light and Power Company. On February 7, 1921 an avalanche
destroyed 23 m (75.5 ft) 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 the plant changed ownership to the Royal Securities Corporation
of Montreal
where they began extensive reconstruction of the plant and watershed area.
On May 1, 1978 the plant was entered in the Canadian Engineering Heritage Record as a model reflecting progressive adaptation to emerging technology, and remains today as one of the few plants of its type still in active service.
Some interesting facts on the generating station:
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
. It was built by the St. John's Street Railway Company
St. John's Street Railway Company
The St. John's Street Railway Company was formed by Robert G. Reid in 1896 to build an electrical railway in St. John's to provide urban transportation using street cars....
, a company established by Robert Reid
Robert Gillespie Reid
Sir Robert Gillespie Reid was a Scottish railway contractor most famous for building large railway bridges in Canada and the United States...
. Operation commenced on April 19, 1900.
In 1920 Reid renamed the company the St. John's Light and Power Company. On February 7, 1921 an avalanche
Avalanche
An avalanche is a sudden rapid flow of snow down a slope, occurring when either natural triggers or human activity causes a critical escalating transition from the slow equilibrium evolution of the snow pack. Typically occurring in mountainous terrain, an avalanche can mix air and water with the...
destroyed 23 m (75.5 ft) of the wooden penstock
Penstock
A penstock is a sluice or gate or intake structure that controls water flow, or an enclosed pipe that delivers water to hydraulic turbines and sewerage systems. It is a term that has been inherited from the technology of wooden watermills....
that carried water from the dam to the generating station, cutting off all electrical power to St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
for almost five days. Then in 1924 the plant changed ownership to the Royal Securities Corporation
Royal Securities Corporation
Royal Securities Corporation Limited was a Canadian stock brokerage firm founded in Halifax, Nova Scotia in early 1903 by John F. Stairs, its first president. The company was the first brokerage firm to be opened east of Montreal, Quebec, the then financial center of Canada.A prominent and...
of Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
where they began extensive reconstruction of the plant and watershed area.
On May 1, 1978 the plant was entered in the Canadian Engineering Heritage Record as a model reflecting progressive adaptation to emerging technology, and remains today as one of the few plants of its type still in active service.
Some interesting facts on the generating station:
- 3,200 ft (975 m) of woodstaveWoodstaveWoodstave is a common usage of a specific construction material made from wood. The form of the wood is in staves similar to the construction of a wooden barrel as manufactured by coopers of early years. Woodstave was commonly used in the construction of large vessels to contain and/or transport...
penstockPenstockA penstock is a sluice or gate or intake structure that controls water flow, or an enclosed pipe that delivers water to hydraulic turbines and sewerage systems. It is a term that has been inherited from the technology of wooden watermills.... - 350 ft (107 m) of tunnel blasted through Gull Hill
- 180 ft (55 m) of steel penstock
- 500 V, original Westinghouse generator
- 2,100 horsepower (1.6 MW) VoithVoithThe Voith GmbH, which is headquartered in Germany, is a family-run corporation in the mechanical engineering sector with worldwide operations....
turbineWater turbineA water turbine is a rotary engine that takes energy from moving water.Water turbines were developed in the 19th century and were widely used for industrial power prior to electrical grids. Now they are mostly used for electric power generation. They harness a clean and renewable energy...
s installed in 1908