Hydro-Québec renovates plant after fire damage

Hydro-Québec is overhauling the power plant that serves the twin communities of Kuujjuaraapik and Whapmagoostui to avoid a reoccurrence of the disastrous fire that cut off their electricity for four days last October.

The renovations will cost Hydro-Québec $3.6 million.

“We didn’t have much choice,” said France Veilleux of the power corporation.

In 2001, there were three fires at the power plant in less than six months.

The first fire, in May, damaged one of the power plant’s three 1,135-kilowatt generators, causing a 24-hour blackout. The second fire, in August, was brought under control before serious damage occurred.

But the third fire, in October, caused extensive damage and led to a four-day blackout.

Hydro-Québec carried out more than half a million dollars worth of repairs to the exterior of the power plant during the winter.

Now the company is renovating the interior of the plant and installing new electrical connections and safety equipment.

“It will be up to the level of the most recently built power plants,” Veilleux said.

This past Wednesday, Hydro-Québec planned to transfer power to the two communities to three portable generators, causing short blackouts.

Once the transfer to the generators is complete, the contractor, Arno Electrique, will start the job.

Local workers, including electricians and carpenters, have been asked to contact the local employment and training office for job details.

The repair work is expected to be finished by the end of August.