Manitoba Hydro crews have completed repairs to the downed power line feeding the community of Cross Lake/Pimicikamak.
This afternoon the utility will be gradually re-energizing customers throughout the community. This must be done in stages to avoid overloading the system potentially damaging equipment. Electric furnaces and other equipment can draw very heavy current as they initially come online in cold weather.
Manitoba Hydro staff are working closely with community leaders to coordinate and keep them informed. It’s expected power will be fully restored to all customers in the community sometime this evening if all goes well.
The broken line was 300 meters long and ran between two islands in the Nelson River, where the ice is not thick enough to support vehicles. Despite these challenges and -30 C temperatures, Manitoba Hydro crews completed the work safely and successfully.
Power has been out in the community since Sunday night, and in the meantime, Manitoba Hydro supplied a large generator to restore power to a water treatment plant, and eight generators to power eight heavy duty heaters for the community’s use.
Approximately 20 Manitoba Hydro employees have been working in the community during the power outage, and will continue their efforts as all customers are gradually re-energized.
“We again thank all of our customers in the community for their understanding and patience as we worked through this difficult repair and now begin the re-energization process,” said Hal Turner, Manitoba Hydro’s Chief Operating Officer.
“We know this has been a difficult time for everyone.”
For more information, please contact:
Peter Chura, Media Relations Officer
431-323-4511
pchura@hydro.mb.ca
