{"id":3056,"date":"2024-12-17T07:02:25","date_gmt":"2024-12-17T13:02:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/?p=3056"},"modified":"2024-12-17T07:02:28","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T13:02:28","slug":"the-history-of-edmontons-power-plant-how-the-city-received-electricity-in-the-last-century","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/eternal-3056-the-history-of-edmontons-power-plant-how-the-city-received-electricity-in-the-last-century","title":{"rendered":"The History of Edmonton&#8217;s Power Plant: How the City Received Electricity in the Last Century"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Historical evidence shows that knowledge of electricity existed long before the rise of the modern world. Ancient Greeks, Phoenicians, and neighboring civilizations were aware of its existence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over time, humanity made significant discoveries in this field, with numerous individuals contributing to the progress of electricity, which is now an essential part of modern life and society. More on <a href=\"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/\">edmonton.name<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a4fb4c917e7c\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a4fb4c917e7c\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/eternal-3056-the-history-of-edmontons-power-plant-how-the-city-received-electricity-in-the-last-century\/#Canada_Alberta_and_Edmonton_The_Emergence_of_Electricity\" >Canada, Alberta, and Edmonton: The Emergence of Electricity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/eternal-3056-the-history-of-edmontons-power-plant-how-the-city-received-electricity-in-the-last-century\/#Rossdale_Power_Plant_The_Birth_of_Edmontons_Electricity\" >Rossdale Power Plant: The Birth of Edmonton&#8217;s Electricity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/eternal-3056-the-history-of-edmontons-power-plant-how-the-city-received-electricity-in-the-last-century\/#Growth_and_Peak_Performance\" >Growth and Peak Performance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/eternal-3056-the-history-of-edmontons-power-plant-how-the-city-received-electricity-in-the-last-century\/#The_Decline_of_Rossdale\" >The Decline of Rossdale<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/eternal-3056-the-history-of-edmontons-power-plant-how-the-city-received-electricity-in-the-last-century\/#Legacy_and_Future_Possibilities\" >Legacy and Future Possibilities<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Canada_Alberta_and_Edmonton_The_Emergence_of_Electricity\"><\/span>Canada, Alberta, and Edmonton: The Emergence of Electricity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The full development of electricity in Canada began between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Between 1890 and 1914, the capacity of all power stations grew from a modest 72,000 to over 2 million horsepower. A key driver of this period was the numerous discussions surrounding Niagara Falls, although it was not the sole factor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, Canada is among the top countries in energy usage worldwide. In Alberta and Edmonton, a separate driving force led to the growth of electricity, a story centered around the Rossdale Power Plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rossdale_Power_Plant_The_Birth_of_Edmontons_Electricity\"><\/span>Rossdale Power Plant: The Birth of Edmonton&#8217;s Electricity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"440\" height=\"330\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/2-6.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3057\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/2-6.png 440w, https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/2-6-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 440px) 100vw, 440px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Rossdale Power Plant, originally known as Edmonton Electric Lighting and Company, was built by Alex Taylor. In 1902, Taylor sold the station for $13,000\u2014a symbolic sum by today\u2019s standards\u2014marking the official start of Edmonton and Alberta\u2019s first power plant. However, the station&#8217;s full history began in earnest in 1932.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As its name suggests, the Rossdale Power Plant was located in the Rossdale district near the North Saskatchewan River. Its capacity significantly increased in the 1930s when a low-pressure plant, new energy blocks, and a pumping station were built. These developments enabled the plant to meet the growing electricity demands of the city and province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Growth_and_Peak_Performance\"><\/span>Growth and Peak Performance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"397\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/3-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3060\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/3-3.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/3-3-300x199.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>By the 1950s, Rossdale was considered the most powerful municipal power station in Canada. This status was achieved after the gradual expansion of the low-pressure plant in six stages, reflecting the region&#8217;s increasing need for electricity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The station&#8217;s operation relied on two pumping stations, one built in 1937 and the other in 1955. While the fate of the second station remains uncertain, the first still stands in the North Saskatchewan River valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During its peak, the Rossdale Power Plant produced a quarter of Alberta\u2019s total electricity. By the 1970s, the station had undergone further transformations, including the construction of a high-pressure plant and the launch of new energy blocks, allowing it to generate up to 400 MW of electricity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Decline_of_Rossdale\"><\/span>The Decline of Rossdale<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1071\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3063\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/4.png 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/4-300x201.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/4-768x514.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/4-1536x1028.png 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/4-696x466.png 696w, https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/4-1068x715.png 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite its success, the station&#8217;s decline began in the 1970s. The low-pressure plant was decommissioned in 1993, and all gas generation equipment was dismantled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2001, Rossdale Power Plant was officially declared a Provincial Historic Resource. Although there were efforts to maintain the facility, the last three generators were gradually decommissioned between 2008 and 2012.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Legacy_and_Future_Possibilities\"><\/span>Legacy and Future Possibilities<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of the Rossdale Power Plant&#8217;s buildings remain intact today. Discussions periodically arise regarding the restoration of the site for functional purposes, but for now, the focus is on its role as a historical and tourist attraction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The station officially ceased operations in 2012, marking the end of an era for Edmonton\u2019s energy history.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Historical evidence shows that knowledge of electricity existed long before the rise of the modern world. Ancient Greeks, Phoenicians, and neighboring civilizations were aware of its existence. Over time, humanity made significant discoveries in this field, with numerous individuals contributing to the progress of electricity, which is now an essential part of modern life and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":460,"featured_media":3069,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[334],"tags":[1648,1547,1649,1642,1641,1643,1644,1645,1650,1640,1651,1646,1647,1652,1507],"moimportance":[33],"motype":[325],"moformat":[18],"class_list":{"0":"post-3056","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-engineering-solutions","8":"tag-alberta-energy-history","9":"tag-alberta-historical-resources","10":"tag-alex-taylor-edmonton","11":"tag-edmonton-electricity","12":"tag-edmonton-energy-infrastructure","13":"tag-edmonton-power-plant-history","14":"tag-first-power-plant-edmonton","15":"tag-municipal-power-station","16":"tag-north-saskatchewan-river-plant","17":"tag-power-generation-in-alberta","18":"tag-rossdale-high-pressure-plant","19":"tag-rossdale-historic-site","20":"tag-rossdale-low-pressure-plant","21":"tag-rossdale-plant-closure","22":"tag-rossdale-power-plant-3","23":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory","24":"motype-eternal","25":"moformat-vlasna"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3056","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/460"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3056"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3056\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3072,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3056\/revisions\/3072"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3069"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3056"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3056"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3056"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=3056"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=3056"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=3056"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}