Ontario Power Generation’s new 10.7 MW Calabogie Generating Station in eastern Ontario is now in service and providing more clean power for the province.

After several months of testing and commissioning activities, the redeveloped hydroelectric station’s two new units officially went into service in April and are now generating power on the Madawaska River.

The original station, which was constructed by the Calabogie Light and Power Company in 1917, first supported local development and the lumber industry. In 1929, Calabogie GS was acquired by OPG’s predecessor, the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario. The original plant stood as one of OPG’s oldest hydro stations before it was extensively damaged by a tornado in 2018.

Construction on the new build began in 2020 and is situated about 50 m upstream from the old powerhouse. The new, larger turbine units are capable of handling more water, thanks in part to a reshaped forebay and tailrace. This results in less spill and more generation, while doubling the output of the original plant.

“This is an important clean energy project for OPG and, in fact, all of Ontario,” said Tony Palma, senior manager of projects at OPG. “We were able to rebuild from the ground up a modern, more efficient station at this existing site, which will provide many more decades of clean power to support Ontario’s future and electrification.”

To complete the Calabogie GS redevelopment project, OPG — along with its owner’s representative, KGS Group — helped define the technical parameters. A joint venture was formed to spearhead the development – SNC-Lavalin, responsible for the station’s design, teaming up with M. Sullivan & Son, which led construction.