The PRM acts as a resource to respond to a contingency to ensure customer load can be served in the event unexpected generation restrictions or supply requirements arise.
Currently, NS Power's largest single unit is Point Aconi Generating Station which produces 168 MW of operating capacity.
As such, the reliable operation of the Wreck Cove Generating Station provides Nova Scotia Power's ability to meet this requirement.
Nova Scotia Power is required to have reserve capacity available for changes in demand across the tie-line to New Brunswick.
Given Wreck Cove can be brought on-line quickly for these periods of high load ramping, thermal generation resources which cannot be cycled off-and-on frequently can be more economically dispatched.
It can operate at maximum power for 4–6 hours depending on conditions, at which time it needs to allow water from farther upstream in the watershed to make its way to Surge Lake.
[6] Wreck Cove, like all hydro and thermal generators, is equipped with speed governors which maintain the scheduled grid frequency of 60 Hz.
At that time the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs agreed in principle to an exchange of the Chéticamp Lake lands for those of an equivalent natural value elsewhere in the Province, on the condition that there should be no adverse effects from the project or the National Park.
Following a review of this evaluation a resolution was passed by the Nova Scotia Legislature in January 1975 indicating that the project was to proceed, and "that a phased environmental assessment be undertaken to minimize potential adverse effects".
Following review, the Nova Scotia Department of the Environment found that all provincial environmental concerns had been adequately dealt with.
In the end the Panel concluded that the Chéticamp portion of the Wreck Cove hydroelectric project may be constructed and operated with acceptable environmental impact provided the recommendations advanced in their report were implemented.
[9] It required one of the largest fleets of earth-moving equipment in Nova Scotia's history and employed approximately 900 people.
[1] There are 21 dams of various heights and lengths holding back the several reservoirs that make up the Wreck Cove Hydroelectric System: Water moves from Chéticamp Flowage (El.
These now paired penstocks deliver the high pressure water to the two 2 metres (6.6 ft) diameter spherical turbine inlet shutoff valves (Dominion Engineering Works) that feed into Wreck Cove's two vertical 101 MW francis turbine (Mitsubishi Motors) generator units (Canadian General Electric).
The Wreck Cove plant design is creative; hydro turbines frequently rely on large water volume and flow rates to operate.
Wreck Cove takes advantage of the Cape Breton Highland's natural topography to provide cost-effective, clean electricity.
Crews striped away the riprap, which is a man-made barrier of rocks that protects the dam, and doubled its thickness to six feet to ensure it can withstand large waves that could be generated in a severe storm.
The first phase of the project, now complete, included replacing the two Wreck Cove generator units; refurbishing the two turbine units, including replacing the turbine runners; refurbishing the spherical valves; and upgrading the penstock intake at Surge Lake.
Nova Scotia Power said most of the gear and systems it will replace are either at the end at the useful lives, obsolete, degraded or do not meet current operational requirements.
[6] The Wreck Cove facility is critical for meeting Nova Scotia Power’s environmental emissions caps and renewable energy targets.