Timmins, Ontario: Ontario Power Generation celebrated 100 years of hydroelectric generation on the Mattagami River during an open house May 26 at the new Sandy Falls Generating Station.
“The Mattagami River is an important and valued resource for the City of Timmins,” said Timmins Mayor Tom Laughren. “When I look back at the history of our City, I can’t help but to think about the important role that the mighty Mattagami has played in our 100 year history. From the beginning, this river has been a catalyst for economic development and today, it continues to contribute significantly to the City’s well-being.”
Complementing Mayor Laughren’s observations, OPG Executive Vice President John Murphy noted that, “the history and growth of Timmins is very much connected to the history and growth of hydroelectricity in this area.” Murphy added that: “Our hydroelectric plants are one of Ontario’s great assets: year-after-year, decade-after-decade, they consistently produce clean, low-cost and renewable electricity. And they will continue to do so for many years to come.”
The lease to Sandy Falls was originally acquired in 1910 by the Hollinger Syndicate, later incorporated as the Porcupine Power Company. Construction of Sandy Falls GS started on January 20th, 1911. By June 1st of that year, two units were already providing electricity to the Hollinger Mine in Timmins. A third unit was installed in 1916, which brought the station capacity to 3 megawatts.
Now standing in the place of the original Sandy Falls GS is a new 5.5 megawatt generating station operated by OPG. Sandy Falls GS was the first plant to be completed last year as part of OPG’s larger Upper Mattagami and Hound Chute Redevelopment Project. The $300 million project included the redevelopment of the Sandy Falls, Wawaitin and Lower Sturgeon sites on the Mattagami River, and the Hound Chute site on the Montreal River. All four stations were returned to service on time and on budget, providing 44 megawatts of clean, reliable hydroelectricity to Ontario, more than doubling the original capacity, while using the same amount of water.
In total the Upper Mattagami and Hound Chute Project employed 500 workers at peak, including skilled trades, labourers, and engineers. OPG’s contractor, Kiewit Alarie Partnership, achieved a notable safety milestone, having worked one million hours without a lost time incident on the project.