Infrastructure

Renfrew plant open after major upgrades

DCN News Service October 22, 2015

RENFREW, ONT.—A new waterpower project on the Bonnechere River in Renfrew, Ont. is now doubling its capacity to generate hydroelectricity, states the province.

The Thomas Low Generating Station (TLGS) recently opened and supports the provincial government’s clean energy initiatives by contributing almost four megawatts of clean, renewable power to the province’s energy supply, explains a release. This will produce enough electricity to power more than 1,800 homes each year.

The Thomas Low Generating Station had been under development for 10 years, the release reads, and is named after the original builder of the Lower Plant, which went into operation in 1902.

According to Renfrew Power Generation Inc. (RPG), construction of the TLGS consisted of major repairs to aging infrastructure at the Upper Dam and the Upper Plant intake canal. These repairs were identified in a dam safety assessment conducted in 2007. The total cost was $24.7 million.

The project consisted of:

— repairs to the Upper Dam and four sluiceways;

— repairs to the inner and outer walls of the existing canal;

— new retaining walls on both sides of the intake that diverts water from the Bonnechere to the canal;

— a new intake within the Upper Plant canal;

— the new TLGS, located adjacent to the existing Lower Plant;

— tailrace, which are channels to carry water, to join the existing Lower Plant tailrace;

— a new buried water conveyance structure. This will channel the flow from the canal to the TLGS;

— two surge stacks to control sudden increases in flow velocity;

— a new access road, new transmission station and stairway access to the Swinging Bridge; and

— a new, larger trunk sewer pipe.

RPG states there are several key highlights to the TLGS, which include two Kaplan turbines that are 2000 kW each.

When it comes to the development of this project, environmental assessment and consultation, including consultations with government ministries and agencies, First Nations and local residents, was conducted, the province states.