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Project information

A map showing the location of Ranney Falls Generating Station near Campbellford, Ontario.Ontario Power Generation Inc. is proposing to expand its Ranney Falls Generating Station (GS) by replacing its G3 turbine unit which has reached its end-of-life with a new G3 unit with greater capacity. Total station capacity will be increased from approximately 10 to 20 megawatts, which is enough electricity to power about 8,000 to 10,000 homes.

Ranney Falls GS is located on the Trent River and adjacent to Lock #12 on the Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW) within the community of Campbellford in the Municipality of Trent Hills, Northumberland County.

The proposed Ranney Falls G3 Project is being undertaken by OPG to improve the available hydroelectric potential at the site, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to increase the amount of clean renewable energy available to consumers.

The proposed Project involves the following components/activities:

  • expansion of the existing forebay and tailrace channels;
  • construction of a new G3 powerhouse with a new intake structure and 10 MW generating unit adjacent to the existing main powerhouse;
  • construction of a new electrical substation to connect with one of the Hydro One Networks Inc. local distribution lines on site;
  • construction of a new spillway to by-pass full station flow to the tailrace channel for emergency situations;
  • decommissioning the secondary powerhouse and end of life 0.8 MW unit; and
  • rehabilitation of the stoplog structure and its operating deck (work platform) adjacent to the roadway/TSW bridge

Aerial photo of Ranney Falls GS and proposed expansion features

An aerial photo of Ranney Falls GS and proposed expansion features.

Schematic of proposed Ranney Falls G3 project infrastructure layout

Detailed information about the proposed Ranney Falls G3 Project can be found in the document Project Description for federal agency review found in Project Documents below.

Project documents

To request accessible versions of any documents, please contact us.

The Detailed Environmental Impact Analysis Report is now complete as are the associated technical support documents. If you have any questions about the reports, please contact us.

An Open House was held on Wednesday, June 17, 2015. The information panels which were on display at the Open House, and the comment sheet which was distributed at the Open House are available below.

Frequently asked questions

The Ranney Falls Generating Station (GS) site was formerly leased by the Federal Government to the Seymour Power Company. With its purchase of the Seymour Power Company in 1916, the rights to the site were acquired by the Province. Ranney Falls GS G1 and G2 units were commissioned in August 22, 1922 and September 2, 1922, respectively. Unit G3, which started operation in 1926, was acquired by the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario from the Quinte and Trent Valley Power Company in 1937. Ranney Falls GS was transferred to Ontario Power Generation Inc. on April 1, 1999, and is managed by the Central Hydro Plant Group with remote operation from the North Bay Control Centre and maintained by the Campbellford Service Centre.

Ranney Falls GS consists of two powerhouses. The main powerhouse contains the G1 and G2 turbine units, each operating at approximately 5 megawatts (MW) during maximum flows. A secondary powerhouse, commonly referred to as the "Pup", contains the 0.8 MW G3 unit that has reached its end-of-life. Based on a Feasibility Study for the proposed Ranney Falls G3 Project, it was determined that a new G3 unit of up to 10 MW could be installed at the Ranney Falls GS site. This would increase total station capacity to up to approximately 20 MW. The "Pup" powerhouse would be decommissioned.

The proposed Project will improve the efficient use of the available hydroelectric potential at the site, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the amount of clean renewable energy from OPG's Central Hydro Plant Group.

The Panel on the Future of the Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW) concluded that the development of renewable energy resources is a sound public policy goal and supported a vigorous effort to pursue green energy generating potential along the TSW. Moreover, the proposed Project is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement, which recommends that the use of existing infrastructure and public service facilities should be optimized, whenever feasible, before consideration is given to developing new infrastructure and public service facilities.

The project can move to construction once the project has been fully defined through the environmental assessment process, detailed engineering review and all approvals have been received.

DISCLAIMER: Please note this website was only actively maintained during the related EA process period. As this process may have closed several years ago, the content of this site may not accurately reflect the current date and may include language with incorrect time references.