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 1900
Victor type (early Francis turbine): 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 1902
Inward-flow Girard type (impulse turbine):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 1926
Horizontal Francis: 2.05 MW, Manufactured by Armstrong Whitworth
Generators
Unit 2 Installed in 1900: 3-phase: 60 Hertz, 550 volts
Manufactured 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 volts
Manufactured by Westinghouse
Rewound in 1926 to 2,300 volts
Unit 3 Installed in 1926: 3-phase, 60 Hertz, 2,300 volts
Manufactured by General Electric
Construction
Powerhouse
48.8 metres long by 7.3 metres wide by 4.9 metres high Masonry construction
Penstock Original:1,057 metres long, 2.4-meter by 2.4-meter cross-section wooden flume112.2 metres long, 2.4-meter by 2.4-meter cross-section rock tunnel115.2 metres long, 2-meter-diameter steel penstockReplacements:1926: 975-metre-long, 2.3-meter-diameter wood stave penstock1953: Steel penstock (surge tank riser) replaced with 2.3-metre-diameter steel pipe1999: Lower 740.7 metres of penstock replaced with 2.3-metre-diameter steel pipe2021: Remainder of penstock replaced with 2.3-metre-diameter steel pipeIntake Structure:Concrete with steel gate and lift (integral to forebay dam)
Dams & Reservoirs Forebay In 1900, rockfill with timber facing. Replaced in 1926 with concrete gravity. Steel anchors added in 1992. 9.1-meter maximum height.
Bay Bulls Big Pond Zoned earthfill (rebuilt 1998–1999) Concrete outlet conduit.
Cochrane Pond
Earthfill with concrete overflow spillway and timber crib outlet.
Tailrace Unlined canal excavated in rock 37 metres long.
References