Hydro is committed to continual improvement in its operations and customer service. Our transmission and distribution workforce is expanding expertise while helping to cut down on power disruptions to customers during planned maintenance.

Teams of power line technicians have been building on their already unique skills by receiving specialized training and certification in live-line work techniques. In the electricity business, “live” work means performing maintenance and repairs on power lines while they are still energized. By working this way, we’re able to complete essential repairs and maintenance on distribution equipment without having to turn off electricity to customers in the area.

Starting in 2018 and continuing throughout 2019 and the first half of 2020, our crews conducted live line maintenance throughout many parts of Newfoundland and Labrador – saving approximately 200,000 combined customer hours of outage time.

Hydro line crews in Happy Valley, Springdale and Baie Verte have been trained and certified in the live line program. The next crew is made up of team members from Stephenville, Port Saunders and Burgeo and their training started in December 2019.

Live-line maintenance is commonly used by electrical utilities throughout Canada and the world. Of course, working near energized equipment requires specialized training and techniques and safety of the Powerline Technicians and general public is the first priority. This type of work requires 100% focus and being deliberate, methodical and consistent is the key to success.