Old Power House

The Old Power House is designated a Local Historic Place due to its association with the rich history of electricity coming to Grand Manan Island. The original structure of the Grand Manan Light and Power Company was built in 1929 with electricity being turned on for the first time on Christmas Eve of that year. The company was locally owned and operated. This diesel plant was turned off every night at 11 p.m. until 1938 when local residents petitioned the New Brunswick Power Commission for 24 hour power. The Commission responded by buying out the company. The plant was expanded and staff increased several times. There was a second plant built on Ingalls Head, Grand Manan, in the 1960’s and the Old Power Plant was shut down. In 1970, a submarine cable was laid providing Grand Manan with power. Now in 2010, the only time the Ingalls Head power plant is turned on is when there is a power outage. The Old Power House was purchased in 1993. Renovation turned it into a private home that was finally occupied in 2000. The strong tidal brook at the rear of the property was used to cool the diesel engines that generated power.