From the Commemorative Book on the Opening of the New Diesel Plant in 1930, we take the following:

"Largest Stationery Diesel in Canada (1930)"

"In the Pembroke substation (now the Hydro Museum), there is installed a 1250 h.p. diesel engine, directly connected to a 60 cycle generator; this is to take care of a short daily peak during the late autumn and early winter months. This type of prime mover, in addition to being a very economical standby unit, which may be operated with an overexcited field to improve the power factor on peak load, thus reducing transmission line loss and increasing the capacity of the generators in the company's hydro electric plant at Waltham, Quebec, some fourteen and one half miles from Pembroke".

"The engine was placed in operation, and was the largest stationary diesel engine in operation in Canada in 1930, when it was installed. It was installed in an addition to the auxiliary steam plant, located in the company's Pembroke substation".

"In the reconstruction of the powerhouse building to accommodate this unit, special attention was given to the external appearance of the building. The plant facing the main street of the City, has a large front lawn on a part of which the principal offices of the company have since located".

"Fuel oil storage, totaling 20,000 gallons, is provided, and owing to the low temperatures prevailing in this part of Canada during the winter months, a fuel oil of 3436 degrees Beaume is being used, but it is possible that lower grade fuel oil will be used later, as the engine is specially designed to consume successfully, the lower and cheaper grades of oil".

"0.73 Cents Per KWH" With a generator efficiency of 921/2 percent, and when operating at or near full load, the engine will produce slightly in excess of 13 KWH per Imperial gallon of fuel oil, and with fuel oil costing 91/2 cents per gallon, the fuel cost per KWH will run approximately .73 cents.

"1250 h.p. Diesel Engine" The diesel engine is of the two stroke cycle type, and while built in St. Louis, Mo., it is of the well known design of the Sulzer Bros. of Winterthur, Switzerland, who are in partnership affiliation with the St. Louis Company.

"Double Port Scavenging" A particular feature of the engine is the double port method of scavenging. On the lower end of the piston travel, two rows of scavenging ports are uncovered  the upper row uncovered before the exhaust, being valve controlled, so that the instant the exhaust gasses drop in pressure, as a result of their passing out through the exhaust ports, air under about two pounds pressure enters the cylinder from the scavenging header and is directed upward at a steep angle. On further travel of the piston, air enters the cylinder through the lower set of scavenging ports, and this air stream is directed upward at a less steep angle. Until the piston covers the exhaust ports on its upward stroke, a volume of air considerably in excess of the piston displacement has been blown through and has thoroughly purged the cylinder of exhaust gasses. After the exhaust ports are closed, air continuing to enter the cylinder through the upper scavenging ports, serves to supercharge the cylinder with about two pounds pressure. The advantages claimed for double port scavenging lie in the fact that the cylinder is more thoroughly purged of burnt gasses, a higher M.E.P. is obtained, and thus a greater horsepower per unit of displacement.

"Conventional Box Frame" The engine is of the conventional box frame construction, with working cylinders, scavenging pump, and blast compressor, all mounted in line, and each provided with a separate crank. The cylinder head is a simple round casting with but one opening in the centre, in which is mounted the water cooled fuel valve cage. The fuel valve cage also contains the air starting valve on the cylinders arranged for starting. A safety relief valve is built into each fuel valve cage. The cam shaft, which operates at the engine speed of 200 r.p.m. is driven through helical gears, from the main crank shaft. The governor is completely enclosed and is fitted with a motor, operated from the switchboard for synchronizing with the hydro plant. The governing of the engine proper is accomplished by variable closing of the suction valves of the fuel pump to operate at fixed stroke.

"Forced Lubrication" The engine operates under a full forced feed lubrication, all lubricating oil piping being of brass, with sweated joints where necessary. Drips from the engine pass into a 600 gallon rest tank beneath the floor, through a tubular cooler, a duplex strainer, and then to a positive pressure rotary pump which supplies all important parts of the engine. A hand operated pump is also provided, to prime the engine after a long shutdown. Water for jacket and piston cooling is taken from the City supply, and run to waste. If the engine were required to operate for longer periods, a cooling tower would have been installed. A calibrated fuel oil meter is used for determination of fuel oil consumption over definite periods. All auxiliaries are located in the basement, thus making for a clean and neat appearing engine room.  A small gasoline engine driven Rix compressor is available for refilling the starting tanks in case the charge is lost for any reason. The engine is of the full diesel, air injection type, having six cylinders, 17 inches in diameter by 27 inch stroke. It is directly connected to a Canadian Westinghouse 3 phase, 60 cycle alternator, with direct coupled exciter, and makes an admirable standby because at any time, it can be placed in operation and under load in a few minutes; is economical in operation, and does not involve any standby losses.

"Concrete Mat Base" The location on which this engine was erected has a quick sand subsoil, so it was decided to erect both the engine and building on a heavy reinforced concrete mat. This construction has worked out well with a minimum of vibration in both engine and building. All pumps, centrifuge, air pressure, stores, lockers, and workshop are in the roomy and well lighted basement, which has a clear passage all around the engine foundation with head room of nine feet. The engine is served by a special steel crane extending the full length of the engine room, the crane runway being almost entirely concealed in the domed ceiling. The crane was specially designed by the Victoria Foundry Company, Ottawa. The lighting fixtures were supplied by Powerlite Devices Ltd. The architects for the building were Noffke, Sylvestre & Moring of Ottawa, Ontario. The electrical work was by Marchand Electrical Company of Ottawa, Ontario. All engine ring and supervision of installation was taken care of by Colonel George H. Johnson, C.B.E. of Arnprior, Ontario.

"In Keeping With Town" "The new buildings", said Hon. Mr. Dunlop, "are probably a little more elaborate than present requirements call for, but because of the nature of the service for which they were constructed, it was necessary that they be substantial and fireproof, as the Electric Light Company was not a corporation without a soul, but felt itself to be part and parcel of the town and its activities, they had decided that the new buildings should be fully in keeping with Pembroke and its growing importance". A town and its general spirit are judged largely by the character of its public buildings, and for this reason, they had perhaps spent a little more than might have seemed necessary. "The company's aim", said Mr. Dunlop, "had always been to give the citizens a good service. A service intermittent and not constant, as to voltage and speed was dear at any price, and every effort was being made to ensure continued service".

Completion of an addition to the Company's generating facilities in 195051, raised the output of the Black River Generating Station by 5800 KW to its present rating of 9.5 MKW.

Naturally, this increase in generating capacity was necessary due to the ever increasing demands for electric power in the areas served by the Pembroke Electric Light Company Limited.

In order to distribute this additional energy, it was necessary to provide greater substation capacity to meet the needs of the energetic building programme developed in all areas of the Town, particularly as most of these new homes were all equipped for better electrical living, including some homes and schools designed for electric heating.

A new substation was therefore, designed and constructed to provide the necessary capacity for the anticipated building boom in the East End  (Fraser St. Station). The station originally designed for three circuits, and the maximum output of 3750 KVA was believed adequate to meet the growing needs for at least five years. This did not prove to be the case, and two additional circuits were added, one in 1954 and another in 1955. This new station naturally called for the expansion of new distribution feeders and services throughout the entire East End, particularly in the neighborhood of the Fraser and Robinson Farms.

Increasing demands in the East End made in necessary to replace the 3750 KVA transformer with a 5000 KVA transformer with an ultimate capacity of 6750 KVA. This work was also carried out in 1957-58.

Growing demands of industry and the development of subdivisions in Stafford Township, and the building of further homes in the West End of the Town, made it imperative that further capacity be installed to meet the growing demand in these areas, and so provide a reasonably dependable service.

In 1957 another substation was designed and constructed at the intersection of Fischer Street and Third Avenue. This station was designed for 5000 KVA output and a maximum of four feeders, only two of which were originally installed. This new substation was completed in 1958. New feeders, distribution circuits were expanded where the service was desired.

By 1960, plans were made at the same time to increase the number of water storage reservoirs from 9 to 16 on the Black River.

Tie with H.E.P.C. During the fall of 1952, subnormal rainfall affected water sheds all over the Province, resulting in a request for assistance to the H.E.P.C. who supplied the Company during this emergency with power. This assistance was greatly appreciated, and later resulted in mutual exchange of power, and this friendly relationship between Canada's largest publicly owned utility and Pembroke's private utility has been maintained to this day.

New Substation and Distribution Circuits The unprecedented demand for electric power resulted in the expansion of electrical facilities throughout the town and district served by the Pembroke Electric Light Company Ltd., and to meet this demand prior to the expansion of the hydraulic facilities two 1000 h.p. diesel engine units were installed in No. 1 substation, to provide auxiliary power.

In 1960, it became apparent that existing equipment in No. 1 substation in the downtown Pembroke area had reached the end of its useful life, and was replaced with the latest modern air blast switchgear, capable of handling up to 10,000 KVA thus providing ample capacity for future downtown development.

With the installation of this new equipment, feeders supplying various parts of the Centre Ward were rerouted down Henry Street, and along Lake Street, to the various points of distribution thus, enabling the large number of feeders spanning Pembroke Street, to be removed greatly improving the appearance of this section of the Main Street. In 1961, the Traffic and Light Committee of Council began what was to be a five year study of whether or not the town should buy the "in town" assets of the Pembroke Electric Light Company, and form their own hydro system. In 1962, Council set up a separate negotiation committee of three to review the purchase of assets, and these people served until 1967, when the first Commission was appointed. On this committee were the following three councillors:

Donald A. Simpson  Chairman

Robert Dey

Claire O'Neil

The Committee, after reviewing the pros and cons, felt there was but one way to go. With 350 public utilities and only 3 private utilities in Ontario, a distinct advantage was eminent. It was felt that the response to the public's current and future needs could be better served with a City owned utility. With the purchase of the utility, it could be easily seen that the City's assets would greatly increase  1967-1977. Throughout the decade, before purchasing, City Council refused retail increases to the Pembroke Electric Light Company.

Meanwhile, the Pembroke Electric Light Company had just completed their 4th substation adjacent to the C.N.R. station on McKay Street.

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