In April 2024, work began to overhaul the Unit 1 steam turbine valves and generator at the Holyrood Thermal Generating Station (HTGS), a critical asset for power generation for our province.

To address specific damage found, the overhaul required a removal of both the turbine and generator rotors. Following disassembly of the steam turbine for inspection, the scope of work evolved to include the restoration of two bearing journals and the replacement of three rows of blades on the turbine rotor.

A Holyrood First

The journal restoration portion of the overhaul was particularly significant as this type of repair has never before been undertaken at Holyrood, marking a milestone in the facility’s maintenance history. Without this crucial work, Unit 1 could face serious reliability challenges, potentially compromising its ability to provide consistent power to the grid.

True Collaboration

The scope of the work on this project demonstrates a high level of expertise and collaboration between a number of teams, including HTGS Operations, Engineering Services, Project Execution, and the HTGS maintenance shops, as well as support from external partners like General Electric (GE) and Babcock & Wilcox (B&W). The work was carried out across several locations, with the primary activities taking place at HTGS and select specialized tasks being handled by GE’s facilities in Atlanta, Georgia and Schenectady, New York.

Successfully completed in February 2025, this initiative will significantly reduce the risk of major failures and provide valuable insights for future unit overhauls. Maintaining the integrity of key components will enhance the reliability and efficiency of Unit 1, ensuring that it continues to meet growing energy demands, and aiding the plant’s operations team to provide a reliable power supply.