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
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Documents reveal Canada praised Haitian sanctioned over alleged gangland connections
A Canadian diplomat and an RCMP officer heaped praise and gratitude on a sanctioned Haitian businessman that Global Affairs accuses of gangland connections, after he allowed a helicopter airlift of Canadian citizens and police at his luxury golf course last month, emails provided by his lawyers suggest.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Minister said 'hundreds' of Canadians might use Gaza visa. More than 7,500 applied.
An immigration lawyer in Toronto says new figures from the federal government show just how 'grudging' Ottawa's efforts have been to rescue Canadians' family members from the war in the Gaza Strip.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.