QEC will apply $14 million jolt to Iqaluit power grid

Tim Harris, Qulliq Energy Corp.’s director of operations, leads a tour of the Iqaluit power plant for politicians and media this past February. Harris went before city council April 7 to tell councillors about a planned three-year, $14 million upgrade to Iqaluit’s power distribution system. (PHOTO BY CHRIS WINDEYER)

Qulliq Energy Corporation plans to get started this summer on a three-year, $14 million upgrade Iqaluit’s power distribution system, Iqaluit city council heard April 8.

The system’s lines and feeders are straining under the demand for electricity caused by the capital city’s rapid growth over the last decade, said Tim Harris, Qulliq’s director of operations.

“We want to grow with the city,” Harris told councillors during a special council meeting. “We don’t want to be an obstacle to the city.”

Qulliq wants to increase the capacity of Iqaluit’s power lines and transformers from 5,000 volts to 25,000 volts, which is now the North American standard.

Goose Bay, in Labrador, has already switched and Yellowknife is in the process, Harris said.

Harris likened the voltage of power lines to that of a hose. More power can travel through a line with higher voltage. And lines “will only handle so much before failing,” Harris said.

The upgrades will help Iqaluit’s diesel-fired power plant to operate more efficiently.

The old power lines give off much of their electricity as heat, meaning that the plant has to produce more electricity than the city actually needs just to meet demand.

Harris said that will allow the plant to burn less fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Part of the project includes the construction of a substation near the plant that will convert the electricity for the 25,000-volt lines.

Material for the project is slated to start arriving on this year’s sealift. Qulliq is awaiting approval from the Utility Rates Review Council of a major project permit application, which they filed this past Feb. l.

The new system will also allows Qulliq to re-route power more quickly during outages, Harris said. That should reduce outage times and “the number of times we get called out in the middle of the night.”

Coun. Mary Wilman wanted to know how long the new system will last.

Harris responded the upgrade will be good for 30 to 50 years. And he said the project is designed to meet Iqaluit’s projected population growth over that time.

“By that time who knows what advances would be made?” Harris said.

Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik asked if the project has any connection to Qulliq’s proposed hydroelectric dam. Harris said no, although he said dam would be compatible with the new power line system.

Harris added the company is still seeking funding for a feasibility study for the hydro project.