the sea. The Wreck Cove plant design is creative; hydro turbines frequently rely on large water volume and flow rates to operate. In this case, the series of dams on the plateau above the powerhouse provide a supply of very high pressure water to the hydro turbines for electricity generation, requiring less flow for the same output due to the high pressure differential. Wreck Cove takes advantage of the Cape Breton Highland's natural topography to provide cost-effective, clean electricity. Tours Tours of the facility have been given in the past, they are now rare occurrences. Quoting Paul Breski, the superintendent of Wreck Cove Hydro on visitor's reaction to the underground power house: "The biggest 'wow' factor is really when they walk into the power house for the first time," he said. "We have a ceramic floor and 30-metre ceiling and a huge overhead crane. It literally looks like a James Bond villain's lair." Refurbishment Wreck Cove underwent a $13.5 million refurbishment in 2015–16, the first major work to take place there since its construction. This work included some of the reservoirs and dams, with a $5.8-million refurbishment to ensure updated national dam guidelines were met. Crews striped away the riprap, which is a man-made barrier of rocks that protects the dam, and doubled its thickness to six feet to ensure it can withstand large waves that could be generated in a severe storm. The project also involved raising the dam by . The refurbishment is expected to extend the life of the dam by 70 years. Modernisation Nova Scotia Power Inc. has applied for approval from the provincial regulator, the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, for a $110-million life extension and modernization (LEM) of the hydroelectric facility. The work proposed would be the first and larger component of a two-phase project. The current project would include replacing the two Wreck Cove generator units; refurbishing the two turbine units, which includes replacing the turbine runners; refurbishing the spherical valves; and upgrading the penstock intake at Surge Lake. The project will increase the flexible operating range of the units and it is estimated it will increase Wreck Cove system annual generation from 300 GWh to a forecast 315 GWh. The second phase would primarily involve the rehabilitation of the station breakers and switchgear, and the replacement of the cooling water systems at the plant, as well as plant system upgrades. The