Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is providing an update to customers in Labrador West about the extended power outage planned for Sunday, September 8, 2024 from 7am – 7pm.

The work being completed will allow Hydro crews to safely perform critical annual maintenance and equipment upgrades at the Wabush terminal station, on the transmission lines from Churchill Falls and on the distribution system in the Labrador West area.

During this work, all customers in the town of Wabush will experience a power outage for the duration of the work (7am – 7pm). Customers in Labrador City will be supplied through backup power from Hydro Quebec. Power may need to be dropped for some customers in Labrador City if the electrical load becomes more than can be supplied through the HQ feed. We will notify customers through our social media channels on Facebook and Twitter should this be required. (Please Note: a short outage for Labrador City will be required to tie-in the back-up supply from HQ – further details will be provided on the timing of this).

To help us avoid the need to rotate power, we are asking customers in Labrador City to adjust their electrical usage by doing things such as :

• Limiting hot water usage (dishwashers, clothes washers, long showers)
• Limiting use of clothes dryers
• Reducing use of air conditioners
• Unplug unused small appliances or equipment
• Pay particular attention to use during peak times of 7-10 a.m. and 4-7 p.m.
• More conservation tips here

We understand the impact these outages have on customers. Our teams are always working to find solutions to help mitigate these outages wherever possible, as we were able to do with the June maintenance work.

Thank you for your continued understanding as we complete this essential work on the electricity system to ensure continued reliability for Labrador West.

Click here to learn more about why these annual outages are planned in Labrador West.

For outage information any time, visit www.nlhydro.com/outages, call us at 1-888-737-1296, or follow Hydro on Facebook and Twitter.

May 30, 2024

Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro (Hydro) are very concerned with a recent act of vandalism and theft at the Western Avalon Terminal Station in Chapel Arm. This alarming incident has been reported to the RCMP.

Vandals recently broke into the substation where both utilities have electrical equipment by cutting through the fence and stole copper grounding wire connected to energized high-voltage equipment.

Illegally entering a substation and tampering with the high-voltage electricity system is an extremely dangerous activity. Contact with exposed high-voltage equipment can result in serious injury or death. It creates serious safety risks not only for the vandals, but for employees, contractors, and to the general public.

Electrical grounding is a very important part of the electrical equipment’s protection system because it drains away unwanted buildup of electrical charge and keeps energy at a constant voltage – reducing the risk of electrical shock. When grounding wire is tampered with or removed, it makes it extremely dangerous for employees to enter a substation to make repairs.

Both utilities are seeing an alarming trend with an increase in the number of break ins at their high-voltage facilities over recent weeks. Newfoundland Power and Hydro are working closely with the RCMP and the public are urged to contact the RCMP if they have any information regarding this act of vandalism or witness suspicious activity near electrical equipment and facilities. Always obey all safety signs and warnings around electrical facilities and equipment.

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For further information, please contact:

Michele Coughlan
Manager, Public Affairs
Newfoundland Power
(709) 737-2821 / Cell (709) 682-1470
mcoughlan@newfoundlandpower.com

Jill Pitcher
Team Lead, Public Affairs
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
(709) 737-1219 / Cell (709) 689-9938
JillPitcher@nlh.nl.ca

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro (Hydro) has reported an act of vandalism and theft at the Sunnyside Terminal Station in Sunnyside, Newfoundland to the RCMP.

Vandals recently broke into the terminal station by cutting the lock on the gate and stole copper grounding wire connected to energized high voltage electrical equipment.

This type of activity is concerning and very dangerous. It creates serious safety risks not only for the vandals, but for Hydro employees, contractors, and to the general public.

Electrical grounding is important because it drains away unwanted buildup of electrical charge and keeps energy at a constant voltage – reducing the risk of electrical shock.

It also minimizes the susceptibility of equipment to interference; reduces the risk of equipment damage due to lightning; eliminates electrostatic buildup that can damage system components; and helps protect personnel who service and repair electrical equipment.

The danger associated with unauthorized entry and damage to electrical equipment, structures and facilities cannot be understated. Contact with exposed high-voltage equipment can result in serious injury or death.

Hydro personnel are working closely with the RCMP on this matter and people are urged to come forward if they ever witness suspicious activity near our equipment and facilities. In addition, people are reminded to obey all signs and warnings around Hydro facilities and equipment.

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is advising residents, cabin owners and travelers in the Granite Canal area accessed from Central Newfoundland that there is no longer the potential to release water at the Granite Canal Bypass Structure or at the Granite Overflow Dykes along the Burnt Dam access road into Grey River at this time.

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is also advising residents, cabin owners and travelers that due to high water levels and flows from spring runoff, the company is continuing to release water in the Star Lake area of Central Newfoundland at the Star Lake Spillway into Star Brook and then Beothuk Lake. People are advised to use the area with great caution as water levels and flows will be higher than normal and may be unpredictable.

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is advising residents, cabin owners and travelers that controlled spill is no longer occurring at:

• Burnt Pond and White Bear River area of Central and Southern Newfoundland through the Burnt Dam Spillway.

Hydro is advising residents, cabin owners and travelers that due to high water levels and flows from spring runoff, the company is currently releasing water in:

• the Star Lake area of Central Newfoundland at the Star Lake Spillway into Star Brook and then Beothuk Lake.

In addition, Hydro is advising residents, cabin owners and travelers in the Granite Canal area accessed from Central Newfoundland that the company may be required to release water at:

• the Granite Canal Bypass Structure or at the Granite Overflow Dykes along the Burnt Dam access road into Grey River.

Releases at the overflow dykes may wash out the road to Burnt Dam, located 15.5 km from the Granite turn-off. Releases may begin at any time in the coming days.

People are advised to use these areas with great caution as water levels and flows will be higher than normal and may be unpredictable.