On May 21, 1911, the turbines at the Horseshoe Hydroelectric Plant were turned on for the first time. Following economic and population booms in Calgary and Alberta at the turn of the century, the city's electric supply was under strain. In 1907, W.M. Alexander and W.J. Budd formed the Calgary Power and Transmission Company and secured the rights to build a hydroelectric plant. After facing significant engineering challenges, Max Aitken and his company, TransAlta, stepped in, and construction began in 1909. Using four Francis turbines, the dam produced 14,000 kW and was eventually joined by four additional plants to support the region's continued growth.