Ninety-Nine Islands Hydroelectric Plant near Blacksburg, SC has been in operation since 1909. It was the fourth hydroelectric plant to be constructed by the Southern Power Company. Ninety-Nine Islands generated an estimated 24,000 HP at the time of completion in 1909. After the Great Falls Plant was built on the Catawba below the Catawba Plant in 1907, the Southern Power Co. planned two more hydroelectric plants, Rocky Creek near Great Falls and Ninety-Nine Islands on the Broad River to the East. Both plants were being constructed simultaneously when the company ran into financial difficulties. It was decided to complete the 32,000 HP Rocky Creek plant before Ninety-Nine Islands. Rocky Creek was put in operation in 1908, the following year Ninety-Nine Islands was complete.

44-50 kV, generated at Ninety-Nine Islands, transmitted electricity to Spartanburg where it tied into the Great Falls 100 kV line, Clover, where it tied into the double 44 kV tower line from Great Falls and Gastonia via Shelby, Cherryville and Bessemer City, NC. All of these were single circuit pole lines, Aermotor city towers being used on the Broad River crossing and in city limits. Insulators used on the lines were M-3472 [id=429285869] in brown and yellow glazes. Remains of Thomas two-part suspensions [id=420475395] have also been used at the power plant.

The Hydroelectric Power Plants of South Carolina Collection:

High Shoals 1894 [id=332186800]

Pelzer Lower Dam 1895 [id=360186922]

Portman Shoals 1897 [id=340212432]

Berry Shoals 1903 [id=330110326]

Holiday Shoals 1905 [id=332438399]

Ware Shoals 1906 [id=347219612]

Saluda Dam 1907 [id=268330246]

Gaston Shoals 1908 [id=346266588]

Rocky Creek 1908 [id=429285050]

Boyd's Mill Pond 1909 [id=429197935]

Ninety-Nine Islands 1909 [you are here]

Fork Shoals -1910 [id=366408583]

Tumblin' Shoals 1912 [id=366398406]

Coneross 1912 [id=361466115]