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Hydro releases final technical analysis and report on Holyrood incident

October 3rd, 2013

October 3, 2013 – Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro (Hydro) today released the final root cause analysis and report on the incident with Unit One at the Holyrood Thermal Generating Station in January 2013. The company also filed its report with the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities.
“The incident in January had a significant impact on customers and the unit remained unavailable throughout the remainder of the winter. We completed a thorough investigation that included recommendations to help prevent future incidents,” said Rob Henderson, Vice President, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. “At a high level, the investigation found the company was following the manufacturer procedures for testing, however the procedures did not go deep enough to uncover the particular equipment problem that damaged the unit.”
The technical analysis was conducted by a joint team of internal and external experts and identified that a lubricating oil pump did not provide the required lubrication to the bearings when the unit shut down. As a result of this finding,  Hydro has put in place remedial actions related to internal operating and maintenance procedures as well as specifications for third party motor maintenance.
Unit One has been fully repaired and is undergoing final testing and preparation for a return to service. It is expected to be in operation during October, in advance of the peak winter season. “Our focus was on completing a thorough  investigation, learning from the incident and getting the unit back online to meet customer needs this winter,” said Henderson.



Media Contact:

Jill Pitcher
Senior Communications Advisor, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
t. 709.737.1219 / c. 709.689.9938 e. JillPitcher@nlh.nl.ca