In 1948, the federal
government saw the rapid expansion of the mining sector near Yellowknife
as an indicator of the need for a coordinated utility industry in the
North. An Act of Parliament established the Northwest Territories Power
Commission, renamed the Northern Canada Power Commission in 1956, when
operations expanded to include the Yukon. One of the first projects
commissioned by the new utility in October, 1948, was the eight megawatt
Snare Rapids hydro facility on the Snare River, 140 kilometers north
of Yellowknife.
When the Government
of the Northwest Territories acquired the Northern Canada Power Commission
from the federal government on May 5, 1988, the head office was located
in Edmonton, the utility was not publicly regulated, and the federal
government set power rates.
Since then, the
Corporation moved its headquarters to Hay River and invested $200 million
improving plant and equipment to better serve over 17,000 customers
in 54 communities. The Corporation also built a new 150 km steel-tower
transmission line connecting Yellowknife to the four hydro facilities
on the Snare River, built seven new power plants, installed over 80
new diesel engines and worked with the Dogrib Nation to construct the
Snare Cascades hydro plant. The Corporation also moved its head office
to Hay River.
The Corporation
is now fully regulated by the Public Utilities Board of the Northwest
Territories, one of only a handful of crown-owned utilities subject
to full regulation. Since the Corporation was acquired by the territorial
government, it has also paid $35 million in dividends and paid in full
the $53 million long-term debt assumed by the GNWT when it took over
operations from the federal corporation.
Quick Facts
1948 Northwest
Territories Power Commission Act. Snare River power plant and transmission
line commissioned to serve first customers, Giant Yellowknife Mines
Limited and the Town of Yellowknife
1949 Cominco's Con
Mine Bluefish supply connected to the Yellowknife grid
1950 Fort Smith
diesel generating equipment installed
1953 Con Mine becomes
a customer
1956 Name change
to Northern Canada Power Commission (NCPC)
1957 Investigation
of the needs of Frobisher Bay (Iqaluit). Initial design for central
power/heating plant at Inuvik
1960 Initial construction
at Inuvik complete
1962 Investigation
of hydro power supply for Pine Point
1964 Frobisher Bay
(Iqaluit) central generating and heating plant commissioned
1965 Taltson hydro
commissioned
1969 Standby diesel
plant contracted in Yellowknife
1972 80-mile wood
pole transmission line constructed from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk, believed
to be the only line of its type north of the Arctic Circle
1973 Head office
moved from Ottawa to Edmonton
1978 The Commission
was serving 49 communities
1984 Agreement reached
for Government of the Northwest Territories to acquire NCPC
1986 Pine Point
Mine closes
1988 Sale of NCPC
to the Government of the Northwest Territories. Inuvik plant destroyed
by fire. Inuvik supplied with power from Tuktoyaktuk while plant was
rebuilt
1989 Head office
moves to Hay River. NWT Public Utilities Board commences partial regulation
of the Corporation
1990 New 150 km
transmission line installed between Snare and Yellowknife
1992 Agreement with
Dogrib Power Corporation to construct, own and lease back for 65 years
a 4.3 MW hydro electric facility on the Snare River. Full regulation
of the Corporation by the NWT Public Utilities Board
1996 Environmental
site assessments commenced. Snare Cascades hydro commissioned
1997 Community-based
rates established. Fuel and water stabilization funds established
1998 Discussions
concerning the future ownership of the Corporation by two territories,
Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
1999 Creation of
Nunavut, April 1, 1999. The Corporation continues to supply both the
NWT and Nunavut under a two year transition plan. Inuvik plant converted
to natural gas.
2001 Northwest Territories
Power Corporation divides into two corporations on April 1st, 2001 -
the Northwest Territories Power Corporation which continues to be owned
100% by the Government of NWT and Nunavut Power Corporation which is
owned 100% by the Government of Nunavut.
