The Bear Swamp Power Co. has received approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to expand its capacity by 66 megawatts.
The Bear Swamp pumped storage facility on the Deerfield River in Rowe and Florida is a joint venture between Marlborough-based Brookfield Renewable Power and Nova Scotia-based Emera Inc. The electrical power plant is the eighth-largest in the state and the approved expansion will bring its total capacity to 666 megawatts, an 11 percent increase.
According to Brookfield, the capacity increase will be the result of a series of maintenance, overhaul and replacement projects at the Bear Swamp facility. The company is required by the commission to begin refurbishing its generator units within two years and complete the project within five years.
Brookfield is currently reviewing bid proposals for the project.
