Hydro Ottawa purchases Chaudière Falls hydroelectric assets

OTTAWA -- - Hydro Ottawa has completed the purchase, first announced in June 2012, of three hydroelectric plants and a 38.3 percent interest in the Ring Dam and remaining water rights at Chaudière Falls from Domtar Corporation for $46 million.

"This presents a tremendous opportunity for Ontario to add 21 megawatts of renewable run-of-the river hydro power, with the potential to expand that to more than 40 megawatts as we explore additional opportunities at this site," said Hydro Ottawa President and CEO Bryce Conrad.

"The Chaudière Falls generating stations have powered Ottawa's industrial expansion for over a century," said Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson. "What many people don't know is that Canada's oldest surviving hydroelectric facility still operates right here in the nation's capital."

Prior to the purchase, Hydro Ottawa already had over 100 years of experience operating hydroelectric plants at Chaudière Falls, where it owns and operates three plants, with Generating Station #2 originally built in 1891 and Generating Station #4 built in 1900. Both stations have been refurbished.

With the closing of the purchase of the three hydroelectric stations from Domtar, Hydro Ottawa's hydroelectric generating capacity will more than double to 38 megawatts, enabling the company to generate renewable energy for roughly 28,000 households.

Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. Hydro Ottawa owns and operates two subsidiary companies, Hydro Ottawa Limited and Energy Ottawa Inc. Hydro Ottawa Limited is the third-largest municipally-owned electrical utility in Ontario.