Guelph Hydro History

The history and growth of Guelph and its utility company have been intertwined since the first demonstration of electric lights in Exhibition Park in 1883. Since then, Guelph and its utility system have grown together.

The first community owned utility in Guelph was the Board of Light and Heat Commissioners formed in 1903. Before this, the privately owned Guelph Light and Power Company was supplying electricity to our growing community but was unable to keep up with demand for both coal and electricity. After nearly a decade of inconsistent power and coal rationing, elected officials and citizens were unhappy with the service they were receiving. Ready for change, in January of 1903 the citizens of Guelph voted to purchase the fledging company for a sum of $155,000. With this purchase, citizens of Guelph (managed by an appointed group called the Fire, Light and Water Committee) owned a 500 horsepower steam plant, a 100 horsepower water Wheel at Allan’s Dam and the streetlight system. Community energy in Guelph was born!

Shortly after Guelph Light and Power Company (the name didn`t change with the new owners), an agreement was signed with Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario to purchase power from the new generating station in Niagara. Guelph played a significant role in the `power to the people movement of the early 1900`s as one of 14 communities that committed to buying Niagara power. Bringing this inexpensive and steady source of power to Guelph fuelled the economic boom that took over Guelph. Electrical equipment and street lighting could be found throughout the city by 1914.

By the end of the First World War the utility was known as the Board of Light and Heat Commissioners of City of Guelph and was serving 18,000 customers. The Commissioners had focused on expansion of lines and new sources of generating power. After WWII the provincial decision to move to 60 cycle distribution voltage forced all utilities to upgrade distribution lines, transformers and lines to customers. The move from 25 to 60 cycle was a provincial effort that touched over 7 million items of electrical equipment and cost the HEPC (now know as Hydro One) over $350 million. Throughout this time, Guelph was committed to delivering `power at cost` to its customers.

It was in 1967 that the Board of Light and Heat Commissioners of the City of Guelph changed its operating name to Guelph Hydro. It was during this time that underground services made their debut in Guelph first in new subdivisions and then eventually downtown.

Today, Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc. (GHESI) serves over 48,000 customers. Our Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc. Rockwood division provides reliable service to over 1,500 customers in Rockwood. We employ over 90 dedicated professionals and have an annual budget of $130,000,000.

For more a more detailed history on Guelph Hydro please call and ask to purchase a copy of `The History of the Board of Light and Heat Commissioners of the City of Guelph by resident Elizabeth Thomson. It is a wonderful celebration of the many women and men that have been a part of the Guelph Hydro story.