BRASCAN POWER and Emera Inc of Toronto are paying US$92M for the 589MW Bear Swamp Pumped Storage hydroelectric generating facility in the state of Massachusetts. The underground twin reversible pump turbines generate power during high demand peak periods. During low demand the turbines are reversed to pump water 235m from the lower Fife Brook Reservoir to the upper reservoir, at a height of 488m above sea level, to be used at the next peak period.
The plant uses water from the Deerfield river and sells its energy into the New England Power Pool. Also being acquired by the joint partnership is the nearby 10MW Fife Brook hydro plant. Fife Brook dam rises 40m to form the lower reservoir. Bear Swamp began operation in 1974.
