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EPCOR's History 


2009

Capital Power Corporation Established 
On July 9, EPCOR Utilities Inc. spins off its power generation business to create Capital Power Corporation (TSX:CPX).


2008

E.L. Smith Upgrade Completed
Three year upgrade to the E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant is completed. It helps ensure a secure long term supply of drinking water for the Edmonton region.


2007

Ground broken on Keephills 3
Construction begins on Keephills 3, a 450 MW (net) supercritical coal-fired unit west of Edmonton, Alberta, in partnership with TransAlta Corporation.


2006

Kingsbridge 1 Wind Power Project comes on-line
The 22-turbine project is among the first to bring more renewable power to the province of Ontario.


Britannia Mine Water Treatment Plant begins operation
It immediately begins cleaning up Howe Sound and one of North America's largest sources of heavy metal pollution - the result of an award-winning partnership between EPCOR and the B.C. Government.


District of Sooke
EPCOR completes and begins operating a new wastewater and collection treatment system for the District of Sooke on Vancouver Island.


2005

White Rock water utility
EPCOR acquires privately-owned White Rock water utility in British Columbia's lower mainland.


Genesee Unit 3 is completed.
Genesee 3 (G3) sets new standards for Canadian power production. At 450 megawatts, G3 – co-owned by EPCOR and TransAlta – is the single largest addition to the Alberta grid. G3 features the first time use of supercritical combustion in Canada, and a $90 million voluntary investment in clean air technologies.


EPCOR Power L.P. launches
EPCOR marks another first, as units of EPCOR Power L.P. (EP.UN) begin trading under the new name on the Toronto Stock Exchange. EPCOR's 30.6% ownership interest in the Partnership is acquired from its former sponsor TransCanada for $529 million. At the time of acquisition, the Partnership's eleven power generating facilities in Canada and the U.S. have a total capacity of 869 megawatts.


2003

100 Years
EPCOR Water celebrates 100 years.


Rossdale Water Treatment Plant
UV disinfection added at Rossdale Water Treatment Plant.


2002

Frederickson Power Facility begins commercial operation
EPCOR’s 249 megawatt Frederickson Power Facility begins commercial operation. The combined-cycle natural gas-fired facility is located near Tacoma, Washington. In 2006, EPCOR sold its interest in the Frederickson facility to EPCOR Power L.P..


E.L. Smith
UV disinfection added at E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant.


2000

Water softening process
Water softening process stopped in 2000 as part of a plan to meet enhanced water quality regulations.


1999

Aqualta renamed EPCOR.


1996

EPCOR Utilities Inc. formed.
The formation of EPCOR Utilities Inc. marks the first merger of natural gas, power and water utilities in Canada. A universal brand name, EPCOR, is introduced in 2001.


1994

Second Genesee Unit operational.
Another Genesee unit begins commercial operation in early 1994, bringing the combined total capacity of both units to 850 megawatts.


1991

Edmonton Power celebrates 100 years.


1989

First Genesee Unit operational
In July 1989, the first Genesee unit is operating at full load. Electricity generated at Genesee is commercially available through the Alberta Interconnected Grid by October. By the early 1990s, Genesee produces more electricity than any other plant operated by Edmonton Power.


1976

E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant opens.


1970

Edmonton Power formed
The Electrical Distribution and Power Plant departments combine to form Edmonton Power.


Clover Bar Generating Station commisioned
Edmonton Power's Clover Bar Generating Station is built in response to the growing demand for electricity during the 1960s and into the 1970s. Within the next eight years, another three units are added, bringing the combined generating capacity of the Clover bar and Rossdale generating stations to 1050 megawatts by 1979.


Construction of E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant begins
Calder water tower is dismantled after 23 years in service.


1967

Rossdale #3 Water Treatment Plant is commissioned.
Fluoridation begins in Edmonton.



1956

Rossdale #2 Water Treatment Plant is commissioned


1955

Rossdale switches from coal to gas
Under pressure to reduce costs and air emissions, the City of Edmonton switches from coal-fired boilers to gas. All the boilers at the Rossdale Plant burn natural gas by the end of 1955.


1947

Rossdale #1 Water Treatment Plant is commissioned.

Electricity goes underground
Lines are removed from above the streets and underground lines are installed in downtown Edmonton, forming the Network Distribution System - a more reliable method of power distribution.


1933

Edmonton's first traffic light installed at Jasper Avenue and 101 Street


1913

High lift, low lift pumphouse built
Two water intakes with 900m pipes constructed.


1903

First water treatment plant built at Rossdale
Edmonton Water and Light Company constructs the first water treatment plant at Rossdale. It includes one pumphouse complete with one low lift and one high lift pump and one sedimentation basin.


A new plant is built at Rossdale Flats
Due to flood damage, a new and superior power plant, Rossdale, is built on higher ground. Electricity is generated by burning coal.


First piped distribution system is constructed
The system serves 4,176 customers with 10.5 km of cast iron watermains, 50 fire hydrants and a 330,000-litre elevated storage tank.



1902

Edmonton Electric Lighting and Power Company made public
Edmonton Electrical Lighting and Power Company enters a new phase, as the first municipally owned electric utility in Canada.


1891

Edmonton Electric Lighting and Power Company founded
On October 23, 1891 a group of entrepreneurs obtain a 10-year permit to build the Edmonton Electric Lighting and Power Company on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. Power poles are installed along Jasper Avenue from 96 Street to 103 Street.


On December 22, 1891, electric lights come on in Edmonton.




Parts of this timeline were adapted from Candles to Kilowatts, with permission from The Edmonton Power Historical Foundation.