Is there still a power plant at Niagara Falls?

Niagara Falls hydroelectric generating plants are located near Niagara Falls, a significant geological feature that spans the shared borders of Canada and the United States. Over the years, multiple hydroelectric plants have been producing electricity in both countries.

Here is a list of hydroelectric-generating plants at Niagara Falls.

1) The Niagara Falls & River Railway Power House, situated within Queen Victoria Park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, operated from 1892 to 1932. It supplied electricity, generating 2 MW of power through three turbines, mainly for its trains and electric trolleys between Queenston and Chippawa.

The site once occupied by the powerhouse is now a WEGO Station, hosting the Niagara Parks People Mover at Table Rock.

2) William Birch Rankine Power Station, founded in 1905 by Canadian Niagara Power Company (founded in 1892), changed ownership over time. Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation acquired it in 1950, and later, Fortis Incorporated Group took ownership in 1999-2000.

After reaching an agreement with Ontario Power Generation, the provincial utility, they retired the power station from service. Today, it stands as a museum, operating under the name Niagara Parks Power Station.

3) The Ontario Power Company Generating Station, which commenced operations in 1905, underwent a series of transitions in ownership. The Ontario Hydro Power Commission acquired it in 1917. Its journey officially came to an end in 1999 when they decommissioned it.

4) The Electrical Development Company (EDC), later renamed the Toronto Power Company, constructed the Toronto Power Generating Station. This station operated from 1906 until 1973.

5) Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Generating Stations in Niagara Falls, Canada, opened in 1922 as “Queenston Chippawa Power Station” and were later renamed in 1950 to honour Sir Adam Beck. They refer to the two primary power stations at this site as Adam Beck I and Adam Beck II.

The above 5 plants are located on the Canadian side. While the remaining 4 are located on the USA side.

1) The Niagara Falls Hydraulic Power and Manufacturing Company of Niagara Falls, New York, was the first to generate electricity from Niagara Falls in 1882, albeit in small quantities. The company faced financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy within just two years.

2) In 1882, Schoellkopf Hydraulic Power Company was founded, playing a key role in harnessing Niagara Falls’ power, and operating several nearby power plants, including Schoellkopf Power Stations 1, 2, 3A, and 3B.

3) The Edward Dean Adams Power Plant in Niagara Falls, New York, owned by the Niagara Falls Power Company, was the world’s first large-scale generating plant. It was known as Niagara Power Station No. 1 when they initially constructed it in 1895.

4) The Robert Moses Niagara Hydroelectric Power Station is the main U.S. hydroelectric plant near Niagara Falls, New York. Physically situated in Lewiston, New York, this power station was inaugurated in 1961.

5) The Lewiston Pump-Generating Plant operates with the Robert Moses Power Station, utilizing pumped-storage hydroelectric technology.

Currently Active Power Plants at Niagara Falls

On the Canadian Side. Ontario Hydro operates two hydro-generating stations in Niagara Falls, namely Sir Adam Beck Plant #1 and Plant #2, both situated along the scenic Niagara Parkway.

Sir Adam Beck 1 boasts a capacity of 450MW in hydropower.

On the other hand, Sir Adam Beck 2 is an impressive 1,499MW hydropower project, also located along the Niagara River/basin in Ontario, Canada. Much like Sir Adam Beck 1, this project is active and contributing to the region’s energy production.

However, the third station, William Birch Rankine Power Station, has been retired from service through an agreement with Ontario Power Generation, the provincial utility. It has since been transformed into a museum known as the Niagara Parks Power Station.

On the USA side. The Robert Moses Hydro Electric Plant is located in Niagara County of Western New York State between Niagara Falls, New York and Lewiston, New York.

Robert Moses Niagara stands as a formidable 2,429.1MW hydropower project, positioned along the Niagara River/basin in New York, USA. Notably, this project is currently active and contributes significantly to the region’s power generation.

Lewiston Pump-Generating Plant serves as the powerhouse for the pumped storage segment of the project. Nestled between the upper reservoir and the lower reservoir, known as the forebay, this facility holds an impressive two billion gallons of water.

In summary, only 3 power stations operate along the Niagara River – one on the U.S. side and two on the Canadian side.