OPG’s Niagara hydro operations set to undergo extensive multi-year refurbishment
At a glance
- OPG is planning to refurbish up to five hydroelectric stations in Niagara Falls, including the Sir Adam Beck I and II stations.
- The major project will secure about 1,700 megawatts (MW) of clean, reliable power for Ontario’s future.
- OPG’s stations in Niagara meet about 9% of Ontario’s energy needs.
For more than a century, OPG’s hydroelectric stations in Niagara Falls have generated clean, reliable, and affordable electricity for Ontario – powering the province’s growth and helping establish the low-carbon electricity system we enjoy today.
Now, this important fleet of stations, which includes OPG’s flagship Sir Adam Beck complex, is set to undergo a multi-year refurbishment to ensure they can keep producing reliable power for Ontario’s electrification and future growth, while supporting OPG’s net-zero goals.
Over the coming years, up to five Niagara hydro stations are set to be refurbished, securing about 1,700 MW of clean power for another 30-plus years – enough to power about 1.7 million homes.
In April, OPG announced it is partnering with General Electric Vernova (GE) to complete the first phase of the $1-billion refurbishment project. Starting in 2025 and lasting over 15 years, GE will refurbish up to 25 units in total at the Sir Adam Beck I and II stations, increasing these plants’ capacity by up to 50 MW – enough to power about 50,000 homes.
Upgrading and optimizing OPG’s renewable generation workhorses like the Sir Adam Beck complex is crucial to support the growing demands of electrification and a thriving economy.Ken HartwickPresident and CEO, OPG
This work will build on OPG’s long-time relationship with GE, which manufactured the original generating units still in operation at some of OPG’s sites in Niagara. It will also create more than 200 highly skilled jobs in the Niagara region.
OPG is also developing refurbishment plans for its DeCew I and II stations.
“Upgrading and optimizing OPG’s renewable generation workhorses like the Sir Adam Beck complex is crucial to support the growing demands of electrification and a thriving economy,” said Ken Hartwick, OPG’s President and CEO. “Through this refurbishment, these hydropower stations will build on their remarkable legacy and continue to produce the low-cost, reliable electricity Ontarians need for decades to come.”
The initiative is part of OPG’s overall commitment to invest in updating and upgrading its hydroelectric fleet across the province. This wider turbine-generator refurbishment program will result in the renewal of 48 OPG hydro stations to extend station life, while also increasing efficiency and, in some cases, generating output.
| Clean, reliable, and affordable hydroelectric power meets about 25% of Ontario’s electricity needs every year. |
At Niagara, the refurbishment of older generating units will involve removing some key components, including the massive turbine runners that help convert rushing water into electricity. These parts will be replaced with newer, more efficient designs that will require less water to generate power.
As the cradle of Ontario’s clean electricity system, Niagara Falls has played an important role in powering the province and its growth, starting from incandescent light bulbs to major industrial machinery.
OPG’s Sir Adam Beck I GS went into service in 1922 and was considered the largest hydro plant in the world at the time. In 1954, its sister station, the 16-unit Sir Adam Beck II GS, went into service and remains Ontario’s largest hydro station by generating capacity.
Today, OPG’s Niagara Operations encompass five hydro generating facilities, including the Sir Adam Beck I and II GS, Sir Adam Beck Pump GS, and DeCew I and II GS. Each year, these plants meet about 9% of Ontario’s energy needs.
Related stories
Subscribe and stay informed
Sign up to receive the latest news, project updates, and event information from OPG.