The Sir Adam Beck Generating Stations consist of two hydroelectric generating stations located in Queenston, Ontario. They play an important role in the generation of adaptable, emissions-free power for Ontario. Generating about 80% of Ontario's electricity, the stations include a large reservoir that is used to store water in order to generate power when electricity demand is low, and increase the flow of power when electricity demand is high. Station 1 was the largest hydroelectric power station in world when it opened in 1921. Locating this generating station in Queenston enables it to produce 80% more power than if it was built near Niagara Falls due to the 89 meter drop at Queenston versus the 50 meter drop at Niagara Falls.
Station 2 was added to the generating station after World War II and is Ontario Power Generation's largest capacity hydroelectric station. This generating station has been able to safely produce clean, renewable and low-cost electricity for more than 60 years. The second generating station is also located in Queenston, right beside the first generating station, for the same purposes as the first station; to take advantage of the greater drop.
With the deactivation of older generating stations, such as the Toronto Power Generating Station, more water became available for power generation at Niagara Falls. The existing canals and tunnels did not have the capacity to transfer the extra water to the Beck Stations. Between 2006 and 2013, the second generating station went through a major project that consisted of constructing an underground water tunnel. The purpose of this project is to produce more renewable and low-cost electricity that will provide Ontario clean energy for the next 100 years.
Sir Adam Beck was a politician and power-authority commissioner who governed Ontario politics as he made the hydroelectric power commission of Ontario into the largest publicly owned power authority in the world, known as Ontario Hydro. As mayor, Beck had driven Ontario municipalities and boards of trade to obtain cheaper electric power from Niagara Falls, and in 1905, created a municipally owned, provincially financed co-operative hydroelectric distribution system.
Sir Adam Beck Generating Station 1 was formally named the Queenston-Chippawa Development. The station was renamed Sir Adam Beck Generating Station and in 1990, was designated as a National Historic Site.
Sir Adam Beck Generating Station 2 was made possible by the Niagara Diversion Treaty of 1950 between Canada and the United States, in which establishes minimum levels of water flow over the falls during certain days and times of the year. This treaty was established in order to protect the scenic beauty of the falls and set out conditions for water sharing between Canada and the United States for power generation. The International Control Dam controls the water diversion from the Niagara River and distributes it between the New York Power Authority and Ontario Power Generation in accordance with the treaty.
There is not much recreational activity at these stations as public tours are no longer available at the Sir Adam Beck Facility.
Sir Adam Beck Generating Stations are owned and operated by Ontario Power Generation, in which they acquired the stations in 1999.
Phone: | (905) 357-0322 |
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