Yellowknife (January 27, 2006)
After 12 days the community of Behchoko was returned to hydro power on Thursday evening as Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC) line crews completed the task of replacing and repairing the damaged tower and transmission line. The line separated and the tower was damaged on Saturday, January 14 due to heavy frost and ice conditions.
Randy Patrick, Director of the North Slave Region said, “I am extremely happy to report that after many hours of hard work by NTPC personnel, the community of Behchoko has been returned to hydro. I would like to thank our customers in Behchoko for their patience, understanding, cooperation and assistance over the last 12 days and congratulate them on their strong sense of community spirit during this trying period.”
NTPC line crew personnel from around the Territories were dispatched to the remote location of the damaged tower and transmission line shortly after the situation was identified. Repair work was hampered by the remote location of the worksite and short daylight hours of operation. In addition, line crews had to be flown to the site and due to weather conditions helicopters were unable to fly daily. Over the 12 days, crews were able to safely complete the dismantling of the partially collapsed tower, install a new tower and make repairs to the damaged transmission line in a total of five days.
According to Patrick, there are many staff and outside organizations including the Canadian military and Great Slave Helicopters and their pilots, which have to be thanked for their efforts in assisting NTPC in safely restoring hydro power to the community of Behchoko in the shortest time period possible.
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For more information contact:
Randy Patrick
Director of the North Slave Region
(867) 669-3301 Bus.
(867) 445-6525 Cell
Vaughan Slade Communications Coordinator
(867) 874-5215 Bus.
(867) 875-7735 Cell
