NTPC owns and operates a large number of physical assets. The list of assets includes hydroelectric facilities, transmission lines and power poles, diesel generators, solar arrays, transformers, bucket trucks and many other things. These assets require regular maintenance but may also need to be replaced or refurbished at some point in time. As a result, NTPC completes projects every year to ensure that electricity can continue to be reliably provided to customers in customers across the NWT.
Among the major projects that have recently been completed, are underway or are expected to begin in the near future:
Inuvik Wind Project
Components of the wind turbine were stored in Hay River before being transported by barge to Inuvik in the summer of 2022Turbine blade arrived in Hay River in November 2021.Grey piles that will form part of the foundation of the wind turbine have been installed at the site. Thermosyphons (white poles) will help to protect the thermafrost beneath and around the turbine as well as help stabilize the structure.On Sunday, August 7, 2022 the first pole for the future distribution line from Inuvik Wind was installed The wind turbine will sit on this structural steel spider web frameThe wind turbine blades were transported by barge from Hay River to Inuvik in the summer of 2022 Installation of the structural steel spider frame that will support the wind turbine continued despite the arrival of winterFunding support from the Government of Canada is critical to adding the wind turbine to the generation supply in InuvikThe crane that will help erect the wind turbine tower and blades in already onsiteInstallation on the distribution line connecting the wind turbine to the rest of the local electricity system continued throughout the winter of 2022/23Construction of the access road to the Inuvik High Point Wind site continued throughout the winter of 2022/23 and into the springTremendous progress is being made on the roadways at the site, including the approach to the wind turbine padStarting on May 6, 2023, major components that had been in storage were transferred to the Inuvik Wind siteThe first part of the turbine shaft being lowered into place on the steel infrastructure base.The tower to support the turbine blades was erected in May 2023On May 29, the first turbine blade arrived onsiteThe tower is now ready for turbine blade installationThe first of three turbine blades is ready to be installedThe hub is the piece of equipment in which the turbine blades are installedThe first turbine blade was installed on June 4, 2023Attaching the second turbine blade on June 5, 2023
The third turbine blade awaits installation
On June 7, 2023, the third and final turbine blade was installed
With the large components installed, work on support infrastructure such as wiring beganA large infrastructure project such as a wind turbine requires a great deal of cabling to connect with the Battery Energy Storage System and NTPC's existing operational control system.A new transformer has been added to the electricity system to support the addition of the wind turbine and future renewables
Commissioning of the wind turbine began in August and continued into September 2023
Taltson Refurbishment
New turbine shaft that will be installed during the Taltson overhaulNew turbine that will be installed during the Taltson overhaulThe new camp for those who will be working on the overhaul can be seen on the left side of this photo. The number of workers required to complete the overhaul exceeds the capacity of the former camp. The Taltson hydro unit can be seen in the top right of the photo. In the winter of 2023, the Taltson Winter Road was constructed so that key components such as the new turbine and turbine base could be transported to site in advance of the overhaul
Assembly of the rotor, a key component in a hydro unit, occurred in the first quarter of 2023-24
Once assembled, the rotor was tilted upright to free up floor space for other work required during the overhaul
The Taltson hydro unit was officially taken offline in early May to allow the overhaul to get underway
The first stages of the overhaul involve disassembly of older equipment and inspection and cleaning of internal components to ensure those not being replaced are in good working order
The overhaul includes the installation of new equipment in addition to replacement of end-of-life componentsTurbine shaft and turbine runner have been moved into the plant prior to installation
The turbine runner and shaft have been assembledPainting of the turbine shaft is advancingHeavy-duty rigging is necessary to hoist hydro unit components
The installation of wicket gates began in early October. To determine the amount of power a hydroelectric dam can produce, wicket gates are used to manipulate the water flow as it approaches the generator. There is ongoing water monitoring during the Taltson Overhaul to ensure we have a good understanding of the impact on fish and aquatic life as well as on water quality downstream of the hydro unit.There are many component parts that must be replaced as part of the overhaulFire swept through the Taltson site in late July. The site had already been evacuated and remained so for approximately seven weeks
Installation of the turbine guide bearing support and wicket gate operating ring
A walkway is being installed above the turbine pitThe turbine guide bearing body gets lowered into placeGenerator upper shaft has been installed and rotor leads are connectedInstallation of exciter cablesInstallation of turbine instrumentation Tonnes of ice must be removed before wet commissioning of the refurbished hydro unit can begin
Sachs Harbour -- new diesel plant
Commissioning of a new diesel plant in Sachs Harbour began in early 2022Construction of the new plant continued throughout 2022The new plant has three high-efficiency generators.The new plant will replace an older plant that has reached its end of life.
Construction of a new, high efficiency diesel plant in Lutsel K'e began in 2021Installation of equipment, including three new high-efficiency generators occurred in 2022An announcement that the new plant was open and powering the community was made on January 25, 2023.The Government of Canada contributed more than $8.7 million to the project through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program
Snare Forks Unit 1 Refurbishment
Unit 1 at Snare Forks was returned to service in October 2020 following an overhaul that was financially supported by the Government of Canada through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program
