The demolition of the largest coal-fired station in the world in Mississauga

Who remembers when the “Four Sisters” stood tall in Mississauga (and were later knocked down)?

The Lakeview Generating Station was opened by Premier John Robarts on June 20, 1962.

At 2,400 megawatts, it was considered the largest coal-fired station in the world and expected to have a generating capacity equal to Ontario Hydro’s two major Niagara River developments.

The four stacks, 146 metres tall, were a local landmark and could be seen for long distances across Lake Ontario. After 43 years of service, the station was closed by the Ontario Government on April 30, 2005.

An aerial view of Mississauga in 1972 shows the Lakeview Generating Station and its four huge chimneys, commonly known as “The Four Sisters.”

Transmission lines from the station run through Lakeview to areas north of the QEW.

Coal is unloaded on a pier that extends into Lake Ontario.

The Lakeview Coal Yard fuels the operation of the plant.

Animated gif

This photo by Lawrence Nicoll is one of the last views of the Four Sisters. It is Monday, June 12, 2006, and the demolition of the stacks is scheduled for 7:30 a.m.

The Four Sisters are reduced to rubble in less than a minute! The Powerhouse was demolished on June 28, 2007.

The Lakeview Generating Station supplied power to the province of Ontario from 1962 to 2005. It generated more than 215 billion kWh of electricity in its 43 years of operation, enough to meet all of Ontario’s needs for about 1½ years based on 2005 statistics.