BLACK RIVER GENERATION

In the old days of direct current, it was economically impossible to transmit electric energy any considerable distance. It was seen in 1904 and 1905 that the capacity of the existing plant would soon be exhausted, and with the discovery of the three phase higher voltage systems, the development at Black River was undertaken. In 1906 with the two Jenks units producing three phase alternating current, the Hon. E.A. Dunlop, president of the Pembroke Electric Light Company, officially opened the plant, commencing a whole new era. This station was to be the sole prime source of power until 1952.

In 1937, a new concrete dam was built across the Black River at Waltham, Quebec; thereby, raising the head of water on the turbines, and assuring an ample supply of water in the head pond under all conditions.

In 1940, at the expressed request of the Department of National Defence, a further addition of 2250 horsepower was made at the Black River plant, and power from this unit kept this Military centre going all during the second great war, when no other source of electrical power was available in the area.

In 1944, the two old Jenks units which had been in service since 1906, were retired and replaced with a 2500 horsepower unit. Following the end of World War II, the slump which usually follows expanded war production, did not develop, and in 1949, increasing demands for electrical energy made it imperative that the Company increase the development at the Black River plant. Planning and engineering followed, and provision was made to install two units of 3000 horsepower each  the installation being completed in 1952.

In 1917, the necessity of having the transforming and distribution equipment housed in a fireproof building became apparent, and the substation on Pembroke Street West was built. In this building was installed the most modern and completely up to date equipment, to which has been added from time to time, still more modern machinery, culminating in the installation of the Diesel auxiliary, by means of which uninterrupted service was assured, regardless of what happened at the Black River plant.

The current generated at Black River was stepped up to 25,000 volts for transmission to Pembroke, the transmission line being fourteen and one half miles long, and carried on steel structures, spaced approximately at 400 feet. The transmission line was in two 3 wire circuits, which could be operated either in parallel or separately, in case of trouble on either one or the other circuit.

This current was stepped down at the Pembroke substation by three 1500 KVA, 25,000 volt single phase, air-cooled transformers, and distributed throughout the town by means of three 3 phase 2300/110 volt lighting circuits and three 3 phase 2300 power circuits. The voltages were later increased to 44,000 volt transmission and distribution of 2.4/4.16 KV and 7.2/12.4 KV.

Both the Black River station and the Pembroke substation were thoroughly fireproof and modern in every respect when built, and contained the most completely up to date equipment. The Pembroke substation contained a 375 KVA 3 phase, 2500 volt generator belt connected to a 500 h.p. Corliss type engine, installed as standby equipment. To this in 1930, was added a 1250 h.p. Diesel engine, direct-connected to a 1070 KVA generator. This engine still may be seen, and is in the Hydro Museum.

Gross Earnings 1890 $ 3,69S.42 1895 6,852.56 1900 7,420.04 1905 10,003.34 1910 23,306.5O 1915 43,223.02 1920 70,394.23 1925 100,516.20 1930 130,305.97

Evidence of the growth of the company and of the confidence which has been placed in it as a result of the efforts of the management, to provide continuity of service at reasonable rates, was found in the following statement of gross earnings, taken at five year periods for the financial year ending January 31, 1930:

 One of the most interesting comparisons that can be made between present day conditions and the past, is in the matter of rates.

When the service was first inaugurated, the rate was set at $7 per year for each incandescent light; and these were the old 16 candlepower carbon lights  (tungsten, mercury vapor, fluorescent, or sodium light sources were unknown in those days). This rate was retained until meters were put in about 1900, when it was changed to 121/2 cents per kilowatt hour. The present bottom residential rate is 2.4 cents per KWH.

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