First, starting in 1984, Hatch Energy designed and supervised construction of the Oldman River Dam, west of Fort McLeod in Alberta. The purpose of the dam was to regulate flow on the river, and to impound water for irrigation, industrial and residential uses. At the same time Hatch Energy carried out a power benefit study to assess the viability of adding a hydroelectric generating unit at a later date.

That later date eventually arrived. In September 1998 Hatch Energy was retained to provide engineering services to support development and construction of a penstock and powerhouse at the dam. The powerhouse is located at the low-level tunnel outlet, and is supplied by a 550-m long, 3.5-m diameter penstock. Two horizontal Francis units can generate up to 32 MW.