1965: Westown Power: Part 4
A Revolutionary Power Plan: Westown's Total Energy System
In a bold move that placed Granger, Utah at the cutting edge of energy innovation, Westown Shopping Center announced in 1965 the installation of what would be the largest Total Energy System ever designed for a shopping center in the United States.
Lester Wade, president of 35/40 Inc., confirmed that the system would be built and installed by the Garrett Corporation’s Research Manufacturing Division. Unlike conventional utility hookups, this system was self-contained and powered by natural gas, enabling Westown to independently generate:
2,340 kilowatts of electrical power
24 million BTUs per hour for heating and air conditioning
This was more than just a backup generator—it was a fully integrated, automated energy system. Using a network of nine turbines, it would provide electricity, heating, and cooling for the entire 650,000 square foot complex. The turbines would kick in or shut off automatically based on the center’s real-time energy demand—an early version of today’s smart-grid logic.
Westown’s Total Energy System not only reduced reliance on public utilities but also positioned the development as a national model of energy efficiency and commercial self-sufficiency. This kind of forward-thinking infrastructure was virtually unheard of in Utah at the time and showcased the bold ambitions of the project’s backers.
