Here's what's causing unplanned power outages in Regina
Regina and its immediate surrounding area has experienced more than 150 unplanned outages so far in 2022. The reasons for unplanned outages in the Queen City are a complicated issue, according to SaskPower.
“About a third of our unplanned outages are caused by weather events,” Joel Cherry, a spokesperson for SaskPower, told CTV News.
“About one third is caused by equipment failure, the other third is related to other natural factors such as trees coming into contact with lines, and wildlife [which] is a big one in Regina.”
According to Cherry, outages peak during the summer storm season and become more sporadic and isolated in the winter months.
“Obviously in the real world. You can't prevent 100 per cent of outages, because we are at the mercy of the elements to some degree,” he said.
This year’s unplanned outage count in the Regina area has totaled 159 so far. For the past two years, unplanned outages in and around the Queen City have consistently totalled over 200 annually.
Unplanned outages affecting 50 or more customers (Source: SaskPower)
- 2020 – 210 - 17.5 per month
- 2021 – 264 - 22 per month
- 2022 – 159 - 19.8 per month (Jan. to Aug.)
Aging infrastructure is an ongoing issue SaskPower is working on according to Cherry. Much of the effort is going into replacing equipment in the downtown area.
“In downtown Regina, we've been replacing underground infrastructure that has been there for quite some time,” he explained.
“This year alone, we're spending $8 million downtown, we're trying to replace underground cabling and ducting that’s come to the end of its life.”
Besides uncontrollable weather and equipment failure, wildlife and several other factors remain an issue for the provincial crown corporation.
“Wildlife is a big one here. We have a lot of squirrels, that sort of thing that can get into our equipment,” Cherry said.
“One of the things that we're doing is installing wildlife guards on our transformers to make that less likely to happen.”
As part of SaskPower’s 2022-23 “Infrastructure Sustainment Plan” $50 million has been allocated to repair and upgrade the power distribution across the province, with an additional $45 million being spent in Regina alone.
According to Cherry, SaskPower is also working to incorporate a battery storage system into the grid, to capture and store energy created by renewable means, such as solar and wind.
“These are all things that we're doing to try to make sure that we have a resilient system here.”
More information about the various causes of unplanned outages as well as a complete breakdown of SaskPower’s infrastructure sustainment plan can be found on its website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.