Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has completed a major refurbishment of its Barrett Chute Generating Station in eastern Ontario. The four-year project modernised all four units at the hydroelectric facility, which first began operating in 1942.
Located on the Madawaska River, Barrett Chute now delivers 176MW of low-carbon electricity – enough to power approximately 176,000 homes. The station is one of five OPG hydro plants along the river and functions as a peaking plant, helping to meet demand during periods of high electricity use.
The refurbishment began in 2021 with the disassembly of unit G3. Crews then moved on to G4, G1, and finally G2, which returned to service in April 2025. The work included replacing and rewinding generator parts, repairing turbines, and making other upgrades to improve performance, reduce maintenance, and extend the life of the station.
“We are fortunate to have a highly collaborative and competent team focused on the project,” said Luc Steep, Project Site Manager with OPG. “Their ongoing communication and teamwork allowed us to address challenges quickly and effectively.”
Lessons learned from each unit were applied to the next, which helped streamline the process.
The Barrett Chute refurbishment is part of OPG’s wider effort to upgrade its hydro fleet, which provides about 20% of Ontario’s electricity. The station’s first two units were brought online during the Second World War to help meet wartime energy demands. Two more units were added in 1968 to support postwar economic growth.
With the refurbishment now complete, OPG says the station is well-positioned to continue contributing to Ontario’s clean energy future.
