Newfoundland Power is in the midst of conducting repairs to the Petty Harbour Hydroelectric Generating Plant which has been in operation for over 100 years.
The generating station, the very first of its kind in Newfoundland, was built in 1898 and started providing power to the area in 1900.
Newfoundland Power is replacing the existing woodstave penstock, which was constructed in 1954 and has reached the end of its useful life, with a new steel penstock.
In order to carry out the work, water levels had to be lowered, revealing old infrastructure not seen in the lifetime of many area residents. The water levels were lowered by closing all upstream gates and with all generating units operating at maximum capacity.
Representatives with Newfoundland Power met with the town of Petty Harbour before the project was started.
Work is expected to continue through the summer and wrap up in October.