Faraday Powerhouse
1907 – Present
Faraday Repower Project
Since the early 2000s, PGE has been making its older power plants on the Clackamas River stronger and safer. These upgrades help make sure the plants can keep working even if there's an earthquake. The River Mill and Oak Grove powerhouses have already been strengthened. The Faraday Powerhouse was the oldest plant on the river, and it was much harder to upgrade because it was made of brick. The old design with five generators inside and one outside wasn't very efficient compared to newer options. This meant it cost more money to run and fix. Faraday also needed new electrical equipment. Units 1-3, which started working in 1909-1910, needed major repairs. Even units 4 and 5, which were also over 100 years old, would need big upgrades. After looking at all the options, PGE decided to take down the original brick building and replace the five old generators inside with two new Kaplan turbines. These new turbines can make 18 megawatts of power each - more than all five old units combined! As part of this project, PGE also replaced the large pipes (called penstocks) that carry water to the turbines.
Time Lapse Video showing the demolition of the historic Faraday Powerhouse and construction of the new Faraday Powerhouse.
Harnessing the Clackamas
Visual Timeline
The “New” Faraday Powerhouse
History of PGE
Electrifying Oregon
Powering Progress
A Thoughtful Transition
History of PGE
Electrifying Oregon
Powering Progress
A Thoughtful Transition
